Better Than A Genie

People are fascinated at the prospect of finding gold, finding a hidden treasure, or finding a genie in a bottle. We feel that if we just had “something” or “someone” to give us whatever we needed, our lives would be great. We all seem to have this desire within us.

If someone who had limitless resources and ability to fulfill your request, asked you to make one request for them to grant, what would you ask for? Would your request be for limitless wealth? If so, what do you think you would do with that wealth, and what changes would you have to make in your lifestyle to protect that wealth?

Would your request be for good health? Perhaps if one had continual good health they could live long enough to gain whatever they desire. Or would your request be for eternal life so that you would live forever and never die? What changes would come to your life if you knew that you would live forever?

Would you request awesome power or fame, in order to be able to change the world to your liking? How much power would be enough? What kind of power would be needed? Would your request be for political power, physical power, intellectual power, or supernatural powers?

Perhaps your request would be for someone to love, and/or someone to love you. That is a wonderful request indeed. We all desire to be loved, and to have someone who appreciates our love for him or her.

Many centuries ago, a new king named Solomon was ascending the throne in Israel. David had been a great king for Israel, had consolidated the kingdom, and had made it a fairly stable entity. David desired to build a temple for God, to whom he gave all credit for the blessings and successes of his life. God told David that it would not be his task to build the temple, but rather that Solomon his son would be given that task. So David collected many resources that would help make the building project possible. Soon after Solomon became king, David died.

God came to Solomon, and asked Solomon what one thing God should do for Him (cf. 2 Chronicles 1:7). In essence God was saying, “Solomon, I am giving you one wish. What do you want me to give to you?” Solomon basically responded: “Give me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may be a good responsible leader of Your people.” God responded by telling Solomon that because He requested wisdom and knowledge in order to be a good leader, instead of asking for wealth or fame, God would give him the wisdom and knowledge he had asked for, as well as riches, wealth, and honor as a bonus (cf. 2 Chronicles 1:10-12).

There is a saying that ‘knowledge is power.’ Knowledge as power can be used for building up or tearing down, for doing good or evil, for strengthening or weakening. Knowledge is obtained information; wisdom is the ability to use knowledge wisely. Information obtained, without an accompanying maturity and ability to use it in a balanced way for the good of all involved, is dangerous.

Wisdom is doing what God says to do, when God says to do it, how God says to do it, and in the manner or way in which God says to do it. Thus, wisdom is the use of knowledge under God’s direction. It involves not only what we do, but also our motive for doing it, the timing in which we do it, and the manner in which we do it. Doing the right thing in the wrong way, or with the wrong motive, or at the wrong time is not wisdom. All four elements are necessary for the use of knowledge to become wisdom. Many people do the right thing, but at the wrong time. Others do the wrong thing at the right time. Some do the right thing at the right time, but in a destructive way. Wisdom requires all four elements if something is to be done wisely. Wisdom requires godly correctness in what is done, when it is done, why it is done, and how it is done.

James 1:5 states that if anyone requires wisdom, they should ask God to give them wisdom and He will give it to them. May wisdom be at the top of your list of things to request from God!