“You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures (James 4:2b-3 NASB).”
Definition: A sentence in an interrogative form, addressed to someone in order to get information in reply; a problem for discussion or under discussion; a matter for investigation.
The art of asking questions that get sufficient answers seems to be in decline and self-centeredness seems to be on the rise. This problem is revealed in the many who ask questions to merely know information or gain some selfish thing instead of gaining understanding and wisdom to help others. Rising defense mechanisms, pride and peer pressure have almost eliminated people from asking or knowing how to ask questions. In our information age some assume an alpha position with whatever knowledge is gained and some assume an entitlement position to take and spend whatever is given on selfish pleasures. A wise man and a responsible giver is much different and understandably treated different than a know-it-all or a mooch, though some see the former as unjust offenders and the latter as deserving victims. Knowledge is more for stewardship and application than mastery and position. Those who believe they fully understand something are less likely to be teachable. God is the master and we fully need Him to reveal His ways and Himself to us regardless of what we know. God holds the power to give abundantly and miraculously without limits, so if we are used to being selfish manipulators, we may try to manipulate Him most of all. The entitlement mentality, among other things, believes those who have should give to those who don't, even against their will, because they have more than they need, it is only fair. Setting aside the multiple problems with this mentality lets address one, if we have this mentality what is to stop us from believing: since God has unlimited supply and He doesn't need it, it is only fair that He gives us whatever we want. God's identity is to be independant and the source of all Life, our identity is to be dependant on Him for our life personally and the source and head of our connection corporately. We need to seek the right answers, if we do not get what we need we may need to evaluate our motives or ask the right question, or ask a different question, or a different person, or the same question in a different way to get the right answers. We should never stop asking or being willing to receive answers (knowledge), life applications (wisdom) and connection to the answer source and head (God and His presence).
Prayers: Please help us feed the desire to know and inquire in our child and never shut it down. Help us to do the tough thing and teach our child how to ask questions in a way that is discreet and balanced and gets answers. Also we ask You to help our child care more for the people giving the answers than the answers themselves.
We pray our child always chooses to receive and connect to You, the true Alpha and Omega and Your wisdom of the ages over the media and personal experiences.
We pray our child will stay inquisitive and curious and grow in the ability to gain answers through research, critical thinking, recollection and smartly aimed and articulated questioning and to not stop searching an important issue until life application and connection to You comes. Thank You for Your help and blessings.
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