Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. [James 1:17]
The gifts that we should be asking for are not for what we want but for what we need to make us better. What does this mean exactly? The best gifts to desire are the ones that edify - both for your edification or for others. Did you know that every member of the Body of Christ is called to edify, to serve (minister) and be an encourager to others in love?
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. [Colossians 3:12-17]
There is a saying: "No man is an island". Every single member of the Body is called to serve. There are a lot of Christians who would rather sit back and take than to give out of the Love that the Father has placed in our hearts by the Nature of Christ that is in us by inheritance. Love is not selfish. The petitions that we make in prayer should reflect the Love Nature on the inside of us.
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.[James 4:2-3]
Selfish asking is of no benefit to the Kingdom of God. Covetousness (Idolatry) is the root cause of these types of petitions. In this hour, the Father is looking for those who have died enough to their flesh so that He may be able to promote them in His Kingdom. Asking for money to spend on yourself or your family is contrary to God's Will and is not of the Mind of Christ. If the gift that we are asking for does not edify, it is not beneficial to or for the Kingdom. The gifts that edify are the good and perfect gifts that the Father bestows on those of His children who ask wisely - not after "sense"-ruled wisdom, but after Godly Wisdom. This is a mature request.
Consider this passage from the Book of Kings:
In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. [1Kings 5:3-13]
When Solomon made his petition, he did not ask for a gift would be a benefit to himself only. He asked with others in mind. Therefore he asked for an "understanding heart" or Godly Wisdom. Because of that request, he received the bonus gift of wealth. Wealth that is stewarded with Wisdom will greatly benefit the Kingdom of God. The petitioner understands that as the recipient, he is not receiving it only for himself, but for countless others. Therefore it is not a selfish request. This is especially important for those who are called to steward large amounts of wealth for the Kingdom; the coming endtime move of God will NOT be financed through the tithe, but through a select group who have been set free from the clutches of mammon. They will also need to understand the difference between ABUNDANCE and EXCESS. I will be sharing more on this in a future post.
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. [Proverbs 4:7]
