1 KINGS 3:12-13: “Behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and
understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you
arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that
there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.”
Howard Hendricks, professor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary, told a story about a couple in
Christian ministry who had four children. While things were financially rough, Timmy, the youngest,
asked, “Dad, do you think Jesus would mind if I asked for a shirt?” “Well, of course not,” his father
replied. So every day they prayed for a shirt. Several weeks later the mother received a call from a
merchant who inquired, “Could you use some boys’ shirts?” “How many do you have?” she asked
hesitantly. He said, “Twelve.” That night when Timmy began to pray for a shirt, his father said, “We
don’t have to pray for the shirt, Timmy.
The Lord has answered your prayer.” Older brother Tom went out of the room and brought back one
shirt. Then he went out again and brought back another, and another…until he had piled 12 shirts on
the table. Timmy thought God had gone into the shirt business! Today, there is another young boy
who believes that God is able to provide superabundantly.
Solomon also discovered that God is no miser. Instead of just the wisdom and understanding the
newly crowned king asked for, God gave him riches and honor in abundance as well. Solomon
became known as both the wealthiest and wisest king of his time. He found that God’s blessings were
not simply sufficient; they were overflowing.
Are you expecting God to provide for your needs? Do you think He will give you only the bare
necessities? Don’t cheat yourself. Expect a lot more from God. He blesses superabundantly. While it
isn’t always in the material realm, God never fails to give His children blessings in profusion. Our God
is the God of abundance. Let Him bless you abundantly.
GOD’S BLESSINGS ARE NEVER JUST THE MINIMUM DAILY REQUIREMENT.