The Greatest Asset

There are many assets a person can obtain, if they are rich enough. Many assets though, can become liabilities – actually costing more in the long run. Example: A car is something that many people think is an asset, but really is liability. 

Consider a young person still in high school. They believe they need a car, so they can experience the freedom of going out on Friday and Saturday nights. Without realizing it, their decision to get a car, requires that they get a job to pay for monthly loan payments, insurance, gasoline, repairs and don’t forget tags and taxes. 

When do most teens get scheduled to work? - Friday and Saturday nights, when all their friends are free to go out and about. To pay the bills, they must also work most school nights, which affects their ability to get homework done, and affects the amount of sleep they may get. Their fatigue causes problems staying awake and paying attention in class. This slow leak of energy and attention, shows up in their grades, which impacts their ability land a good job or to further their education in college, and to obtain scholarships. In the long run, the impulsive decision to get the car, could impact their entire life – for the worse. A car is not an asset, it is a liability. 

There is one asset we can obtain, which is “better than rubies” (Proverbs 8:11), “better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold” (Proverbs 3:14). Yet, it cannot be purchased, valued or exchanged (Job 28:15-19). 

We can learn about this special asset from a young man named Solomon. This young man was given the keys to the kingdoms of Israel and Judah when he was still in his 20’s. He held assets of over 10,000 horses, and over 1,000 chariots. He built palaces and a temple. He composed 3000 proverbs and over 1000 songs. He also knew all about nature and the world around us. His kingdom was strategically placed along a flourishing trade route between Egypt and the east so that his riches compounded exponentially. He had the world by the horns, but he was still MISSING SOMETHING.

Then, in a dream, God came to him and offered to give him anything he wanted – ANYTHING! I don’t know about you, but my mind can really get to swimming at just the thought of an opportunity like this. Imagine, the Creator of all things, saying to you: "Ask! What shall I give you?" (1 Kings 3:5).

How many young people, musicians, artists, actors, brilliant minds, have we seen rise to the top only to fall into a crumpled heap in an ash bin. They had everything, yet they were MISSING SOMETHING.

The first thing Solomon did, was to reflect on the blessings he had already received (1 Kings 3:6). If we just look around, each of us could make a list of ten things we have been blessed with.

The second thing I see in Solomon is that he humbled himself. He said, “I am just a child. I don’t know how to go out or come in (1 Kings 3:7).” Too many times, we get full of ourselves and forget that pride can destroy us. It is OK to admit when we can’t go it alone, especially when you are talking to God, because He already knows.

Lastly, Solomon asked the Creator of the Universe for the one asset, the most valuable thing a person can possess, short of salvation in Jesus Christ. Solomon asked for an understanding heart for people and the ability to discern between good and evil (1 Kings 3:9). 

In one word, Solomon asked for WISDOM.

What a great model for prayer: count your blessings, humble yourself, and ask for wisdom from God. 

And God blessed Solomon to be wiser than any man in his day. This great, young and wise king, wrote this simple statement for people the world over and for all time:

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Meditate on THAT! 

Pastor Jay Merritt