Consider this title a rather generous, open-ended offer coming from God, the Most High, to humanity. You would be amazed at the vast, varied and multiple requests such an offer could generate - depending of course on where we are at in our relationship with God. A lot will depend on our current status, the different situations and circumstances which govern our lives will influence our responses.
Most people will ask for mundane material things or the means to obtain such objects - be it a car or a house. Others will request for money with which to solve their myriad problems. Whatever that may be, these requests would satisfy a means to an end and naturally they would only sustain that need for a limited length of time.
Few will request for the essentials of life; like getting to know God more in order to secure a place in the kingdom; others would like to ensure that eternal life becomes their portion. In short, very few will focus on the things that last eternally than on the things that satisfy our current basic needs.
Think for a moment about what you would have made your priority request. If it is anything that is temporary in nature, you would have missed the mark. Because anything temporal [visible to the eyes] has an expiry date. Anything unseen is eternal, everlasting. Material things have a shelf life, whereas eternal life and being in God’s presence are eternal. All material things will fade away, they will rot. The things eternal, things of the spirit last for ever. “Do not store for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
God was pleased with King Solomon who sacrificed a burnt offering of a thousand rams on the altar at Gibeon. “The LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream and God said, ‘Ask whatever you want me to give you.’ ” (1 Kings 3:4-5) Solomon answered , “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. ….. Now O LORD my God, You have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a 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 3:6-9)
God was so pleased with what Solomon had asked for that He said to him: “Since you have asked for this and not long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honour---so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.” (1 Kings 3:13-14) How would you have responded to that?
James, Jesus’ brother, advised that we should ask for wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.” (James 1:5) “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7) Unfortunately, revenge rather than wisdom pushed Herodias to ask for John the Baptist’s head for denouncing her unlawful union with Herod who was her former husband (Philip) brother.
At a banquet on Herod’s birthday, he and his guests were pleased with the way Herodias’ daughter danced. Herod then made an offer to the girl. “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you … whatever you ask I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” (Mark 6:22-23) Of all the things the girl could have asked for, her mother prompted her to demand the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Wicked! Again James called this asking with wrong motives. (James 4:3)
It looks rather straightforward to ask from God to whom everything belongs. Besides, He gives generously, He gives freely. No need for manipulation. All that God can make available to us, He has no use for but to bless us with. There is definitely no need to try to manipulate Him. “Be not anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Ephesians 4:6)
We begin to face problems when we seek alternatives or quick fixes rather than making our petitions and desires known to God. The devil can provide us with ‘material things’ but be sure it would be with strings attached. It will be in exchange for our souls which is a ticket to eternal damnation in hell.
It is time we review what we ask for, why we ask and to whom our requests are addressed. Most of the things we covet are not lasting in nature, they only encumber our walk with God. Ask wisely!
