Faith Starts With An Absolute Disregard For Self

The LORD was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies— I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! [1 Kings 3.10-12]

It is worth being mindful that Solomon made his request to God from the position of #1 in all Israel. It's not like Solomon was wondering where his next meal was coming from or how he would pay his rent and utilities! In fact, Solomon was, by all standards, already quite rich and powerful - no doubt, the richest and most powerful man in all Israel.

So, how does this event relate to us today?

Solomon's actions speak of both faith and character regardless of his current wealth or position. God wants His people to understand that health, wealth and power come from Him. We should look at this however from a different perspective. If it pleased God for healthy, wealthy and powerful Solomon to refrain from asking for more health, wealth and power and instead ask for wisdom, how much MORE does it please God for someone in need of health, wealth and power to ignore that obvious need and ask for wisdom instead? (It should be pointed out here that "wisdom" was only the medium through which Solomon wished to please God: to rule Israel with integrity as would naturally be God's character and will.)

We find our answer in the New Testament where it records Jesus watching the people bring their gifts into the Temple. 

Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” [Mark 12.41-44]

The fact that the widow silently gave all she had makes an undeniable statement of faith. She was obviously in great need as those two coins were her last. And yet, not by saying, but by doing (faith without works is dead) she made her devotion to God and His will more important than holding onto what she had and asking for more. It is no wonder Jesus remarked about her faith!

Both Solomon's end goal and the poor widow's end goal were the same: God's will above personal gratification. However, where Solomon's actions spoke mostly of character, the widow's actions spoke highly of both faith and character.

We should be encouraged, through both of these stories, to get our focus off of health, wealth and power (self) and instead onto God's will. Period. Yes, Jesus did say we could ask for anything (Mark 11.24)... But what if, instead of asking for what we obviously need, we focus all our effort and desire on God's will to restore mankind to Himself? What might that look like? Could we too draw the attention and pleasure of God by selfless faith?

Faith starts with an absolute disregard for self. Nothing prevents faith more than a person's preservation of their own health, wealth and power.

Father, the world in which we currently live is so self-centered that I fear we have no concept whatsoever of what Solomon's and the poor widow's respective stories tell us. I understand that if we are ever to get a clue, it will be of our own effort to do so and not of Your intervention - because You have already given the stories  - we have already "heard" - it is up to us now to "do." Help us to make ourselves act upon what these stories teach us!