Wealth or Wisdom?

When David’s son, Solomon, became king, God appeared to him in a dream and told him that He would give Solomon whatever he wanted. If God were to come to you and ask you that question, what would you ask for? It is sort of an “age-old” question. Let’s see what Solomon says in chapter 3: 7 Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. 9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” Solomon asks for wisdom. He could have asked for wealth and power and fame but he asks for wisdom. Was this a good choice?

There is a very easy way to know whether or not this was a good choice. Wealth cannot acquire anything that will last for eternity. Wisdom can acquire many things that will last for eternity. What can you buy that will last forever? The answer is nothing. But with wisdom you can make wise choices in your own life and the lives of others that can last for eternity. So, let’s not place so much importance on the acquisition of wealth. Rather, let’s look to God and ask Him to give us wisdom. He promises to do that.