Learn to take yes for an answer.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.
Proverbs 4:7-9
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Proverbs tells us very distinctly in several ways that wisdom is valuable beyond anything else. It is a treasure to be sought after, held in high esteem, protected and sought out again. There’s no such thing as “too wise”!
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
James 1:4-7
So when James exhorts his audience to “get wisdom” by asking God, he points out something crucial. God gives this supremely valuable wisdom out for free without judging the worthiness of the one who asks. So what is the catch? You can’t doubt the giver if you want the gift. This does not merely require conceding that God exists. We must trust the God from whom we are asking the gift. Fully lean on him to provide. Don’t provide anything for him, don’t get ready, don’t try to help! If you build a foundation and then ask God for a house, you have missed the opportunity to let the master architect do his work.
Get wise, learn to take yes for an answer. God wants to give. Let him!
Ethan Kirl
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