Saturday
8th February 2020. Read 1st Kings 3:4-13, Psalm 119 and Mark 6:30-34.
_“Because
you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the
life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what
is right… I give you a wise and discerning mind… I give you also what you have
not asked, both riches and honour…” *(1 Kings 3:11-13)*_
There is a
saying that if all the world’s richest persons were to transfer all their money
to the world’s poorest people, that money would soon return to rich again. Poverty
is not often one’s account statement, it is rather the state of one’s mind.
Even if you have all the money in the world but lack wisdom, your money will
amount to nothing.
God is
pleased with Solomon’s prayer because 1. Solomon did not ask for long life. 2.
Solomon did not ask for riches. 3. Solomon did not ask for the death of his
enemies. Instead, Solomon asked for the following: 1. An understanding mind to
govern the people and 2. Ability to discern between good and evil. In short,
Solomon asked for wisdom.
To reward
Solomon for asking right, God decides to bless him with wisdom, (the type that
no one before him ever had) and not just that, God added what he didn’t ask
for riches and honour. Here comes the lesson for today: “When you ask for
wisdom, riches become your complimentary gift.” Riches without wisdom is
poverty waiting to happen. On the other hand, with wisdom, riches are never far
away from a person. *To be wise is to be truly rich.*
The
apostles returned to Jesus with joy for successfully carrying out the mission
Jesus sent them. Do you recall Jesus’ instructions to them? Take nothing for
the journey except a Staff (Walking Stick), no bread, no bag, no money, wear sandals,
and, do not put on two tunics. In essence, Jesus condemned these disciples to a
life of poverty. They were simple to go out with the most important wealth of
all, wisdom; a gift of the Holy Spirit.
When last
did I sincerely beg God for the gift of wisdom? Do I believe that wisdom is
more important than money? As a disciple of Christ, a pastor, an evangelist, a
priest or a leader in the church, do I use my position simply to amass material
riches for myself? Am I still faithful to the vow of poverty?
Let us
Pray: Lord Jesus, increase my wisdom. Amen.
Be happy.
Live positive. It is well with you. (Saturday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time.
Bible Study: 1st Kings 3:4-13, Psalm 119 and Mark 6:30-34).
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