Devotion: Solomon’s Showcase Showdown

“Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.” ~Voltaire

Do you remember the old game show, The Price Is Right? Please tell me you do, because that show was one of my favorites. During the summertime we used to watch it nearly every day. My brother and I would sit nice and close to the TV for optimum proximity to the studio crowd hysteria. We used our voices to mimic trumpet noises right along with the intro music. We ogled Bob Barker’s odd microphone. We found ourselves especially enamored by the contestants’ behaviors. We loved seeing people win something and wig out on TV.

The show was a straight-up hoot, but no matter what happened during the first, it was all about the showcase showdown at the end. If you aren’t familiar with this, two final winners compete against each other to win a showcase containing thousands in prizes. Usually, this included a car or a luxury vacation.

It’s been decades since I’ve watched The Price Is Right, but it came to mind recently when I was reading the Old Testament. Really, it did.

I was reading the first chapter of 2 Chronicles with my husband, and The Price Is Right wasn’t on my mind at all. It was early in the morning. I was thinking about breakfast and coffee. I was captivated, though, when we read this portion:

“That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.” (2 Chronicles 1:7-12 NIV)

This is something. God appears to Solomon and tells Solomon he can ask for anything. Solomon asks for wisdom. God ends up giving Solomon wisdom, yes, but also wealth, possessions, and honor like no one else in the history of all time.

Remarkable.

Solomon made the right request.

As I think about this, I try to put myself in Solomon’s position. This is when I start thinking about The Price Is Right. I picture myself putting my hands in my hair and jumping around like an absolute fool at the idea of asking for whatever I wanted. I see myself staring, wide-eyed, at an expensive showcase of newly released books, Sperry shoes, tickets to writer’s conferences, gift certificates for pedicures, and a lifetime membership to one of those companies that ships you meal plans with ingredients so you never have to think about dinner again.

Solomon isn’t about more. Or about wishes. Or about anything tangible. He asks for wisdom to lead God’s people. Solomon even acknowledges that this job is a greater task than he is able to handle. “Who is able to govern this great people of yours?” he asks.

We might have a house, furniture, job, car, friends, parents, church, and more. Do we acknowledge that the things under our care require wisdom to steward? Do we give proper weight to this responsibility? Is it enough to influence our desire if we could ask for anything?

[Tweet “Life isn’t The Price Is Right. We don’t get to unlock a showcase at the end of our episode.”]

Opportunities to win thousands on a game show are rare, but day-to-day life is filled with occasions to pray. What are you asking God for?

Dear heavenly Father, you aren’t a holy auctioneer. You are our Father. You have given us many things to take care of. So many things, in fact, that we could never manage it on our own. Help us to attend to what we already have. Give us wisdom to ask better questions and pray more selfless prayers. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Scriptures for Reflection

“For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Luke 6:45b NIV)

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

Reach for More

 This week’s challenge is for us to cease asking for something new/better/more. Instead, let’s ask God to help us take better care of what we already have.

Please come back and leave a comment telling us of any insights you gained through this week’s challenge, or share your progress on social media using the hashtag #tgtreachformore. We would love to hear from you.

Lindsey Feldpausch is a creative writer, graphic design enthusiast, social media coordinator, and sinner saved by grace who lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her worship leader/youth pastor husband and four delightful kiddos fill life with unbelievably amusing quotes and sweet snuggles. She thinks God is awesome and that the best adventure starts with saying yes to that still, small voice.

Photograph © Slava Bowman, used with permission

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