Why should we ask for Wisdom?

James 1:5 (NLT) If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

The bible says to ask for Wisdom. But the door to Wisdom is the fear of the Lord. Many Christians ask for Wisdom but are they freely receiving wisdom from God? Many know King Solomon was the wisest man on the earth and there will be no other like him. We read the story of Solomon and just as Solomon had asked, many also ask for wisdom. 

When I first got saved at the age of twelve, I spent two years reading the bible from beginning to end. I had read one chapter a day. I remember many important points that had helped me come to this point. Without having read the bible when I first got saved, my life would be much different than it is now. My life may have been destroyed if I had not read the bible. The bible had saved my life for I was in rebellion for many years during my youth.

But I do remember the story of Solomon and at the young age I had asked God for wisdom. Wisdom was growing but it is now at the age of 44 years old, Wisdom is gaining momentum with His Revelation.

Why was King Solomon given such a depth of wisdom? Why is it that many Christians ask but have yet to receive wisdom? The bible says we do not receive because we do not ask. But moreover, the bible also says we do not receive because we ask for our own evil desires. You must read the Bible as a Christian. If you do not read the bible and if you do not read it continuously, the devil will end up destroying your life. We must return to the basics of reading, praying, and worshiping. Evil is gaining in these last days but so is Grace as it is abounding even more. The bible, sermons, and messages can now be reached at the tip of your finger through your phones, computers, etc. We will have no excuse!

God is a God of order. You must read the bible to know His character and ways. Many know His power and many may have witnessed His miracles such as the Old Testament saints had but if you only know His power and gifts and you do not know HIM, then you may betray HIM one day. Many of the Old Testament saints with Moses saw the Red Sea part and they were fed food from heaven but at the end most of them rebelled and betrayed God. They were judged and killed in the wilderness during the 40 years. You must read the bible. God does not change.

Let us look at the order and what Solomon had done when he had asked for Wisdom. The bible says that Solomon loved the Lord and followed HIM. We must first love HIM by following His Ways. We must be in obedience to His Word. Moreover, he was one who knew how to give an offering to God. We must be obedient tithers and offers to God whether in our finances or of our lives. Solomon had offered 1000 burnt offerings. In those days, I am sure it was very significant.

Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.10 Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.

1 Kings 3:3-5 Solomon loved the Lord and followed all the decrees of his father, David, except that Solomon, too, offered sacrifices and burned incense at the local places of worship. 4 The most important of these places of worship was at Gibeon, so the king went there and sacrificed 1,000 burnt offerings. 5 That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”

Many know Solomon as the wisest man in the bible, on the earth at that time and who will ever be. Many Christians today ask for wisdom. But for what reason are we asking for wisdom? Why have you asked for wisdom? Have you asked wisdom so you can make riches? Have you asked wisdom for your own gain? Let us look at for what reason did Solomon ask for wisdom.

1 Kings 3:6-15 Solomon replied, “You showed faithful love to your servant my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued your faithful love to him today by giving him a son to sit on his throne.7 “Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. 8 And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! 9 Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?”10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. 11 So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies— 12 I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! 13 And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! 14 And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.”15 Then Solomon woke up and realized it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem and stood before the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, where he sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he invited all his officials to a great banquet.

In verse 9, Solomon is asking for Wisdom so he may receive an understanding heart so that he can govern God's people well and know the difference between right and wrong. King Solomon had asked for Wisdom so he can serve God's people better. He had asked for Wisdom to serve God better. He had asked not for himself but for others. He had put himself last and not first. He had a serving heart and attitude. 

Why have you asked? Have you asked because for long life, wealth, or fame? But because King Solomon asked Wisdom so he can serve God's people better, God through Wisdom gave him knowledge, riches, wealth, and fame as provisions to serve God's people. This is the key to success. We must have a heart of obedience, a heart of offering, and a heart of serving God's purposes and not ours. What is the promise of long life? The promise of long life is IF we follow and obey HIS decrees and commands. Then no pestilence, disease, or harm can touch us. But if our lives are shortened, we must ask if we had lived an obedient life.

In James 1:5, scripture says to ask for wisdom for HE is a generous God. But HE warns us to ask in faith and without doubt. God is telling us if we ask for Wisdom, make sure you are willing to obey and follow HIM. When we obey, follow HIM, are faithful tithers and offers, and willing to serve HIS people,  then through such faith will come Wisdom as Solomon had received. Only those who fear God are willing to obey and this is the door to Wisdom.  And through Wisdom is the door to riches and wealth but for the purposes to serve God's Kingdom and purposes.

Glory to HIM

Fire of God Church 

Fremont, CA 

Pastor Steve Yong Kim

May 19, 2014