What would you do with a blank check?
Ever watch a movie like "Aladdin" and start wondering what you would do if you found a genie in a lamp and had three wishes at your disposal? I think all of us have something (or a set of somethings) that we would freely provide to that spirit, in the persona of Robin Williams of course, and make our wildest dreams come true...
"Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" - 1 Kings 3:7-9
"The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be..." - 1 Kings 3:10-12
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." - James 1:5
But, since there really is no such things as genies in lamps (as far as I know), what about this?
What if God walked up to you one day and told you that He would give you ANYTHING you wanted... a blank check. Whatever you want, He'll do that for you.
Let that simmer....
What's on your mind now? :-)
Let me think here....
- How many zeros are on the number in your bank account now? Is there a "B" assigned to your net worth?
- What's your title (CEO of course) and where is your corner office?
- What's her name? (guys) What's his name? (girls)
- What exotic place is your posh house in?
- How big is your fan club?
I suppose that the list could go on and on....
You know, this actually happened once to a guy that lived a little less than 3,000 years ago. After succeeding for the great King David, Solomon was approached by God and given that exact blank check: "Anything you want, you can get." Want to know what he asked for?
"Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" - 1 Kings 3:7-9
No money? No women? No expansion of his power and influence? He asked for what? A discerning heart to govern and to distinguish right from wrong? Did he aim too low?
Not really... God was impressed. Check this out.
"The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be..." - 1 Kings 3:10-12
Solomon obviously wasn't the wisest man on earth for nothing... and obviously his dad taught him well about what God values and what is really important. He realized that character and wisdom was more valuable than any of that other stuff, and in fact that wisdom and discernment enabled him to accomplish a lot of those other things. Now, if character and discernment is what the wisest man on the earth would ask for if he had a blank check from God, why wouldn't we?
Listen what Solomon later in his life said about wisdom:
"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
the man who gains understanding,
for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold." - Proverbs 3:13-14
the man who gains understanding,
for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold." - Proverbs 3:13-14
And this was a man who... as a result of God's blessing and his own wisdom.... had plenty of that silver and gold stuff.
The truth is, God has given a blank check to anyone that desires to pursue wisdom, but we have to desire it and pursue it vigorously. But, He promises us that if we desire wisdom, we can ask Him and He will give it freely... check this out:
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." - James 1:5
I could quote a few more, but this quote gets to the point really well.
Besides, ask any lottery winner, washed out celebrity, etc... money, fame, power, looks... it's temporary. Character and wisdom... that stuff has staying power.
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You know, we're doing this exact story in UpStreet the first week of February... should be cool!