Day 144, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 1Kings 9:10-14; 2Chronicles 8:1-3; 1Kings 9:24-25; 2Chronicles 8:11-18; 1Kings 9:17-19; 2Chronicles 8:4-6; 1Kings 9:26-28; 1Kings 10:22; 2Chronicles 9:21; 1Kings 10:1-13; 2Chronicles 9:1-12; 1Kings 4:1-19
Wealth and Wisdom
Is it wrong to be wealthy? No, money is not evil, but the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10). King Solomon writes in one of his Proverbs, “The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, and he adds no sorrow [or trouble] with it” (Proverbs 10:22, NIV)
In the early reign of King Solomon, God makes him incredibly wealthy. Solomon had asked the LORD for discernment and wisdom to lead the nation of Israel. God was pleased with his request and now gives him an understanding of all things, plus the things he did not ask for—riches, honor, and if he will be obedient to the LORD, long life (1 Kings 3:9-14).
When we ask for the things which please God, he is often happy to give it to us, and even exceed our requests (Matthew 7:7-11; John 14:13; Ephesians 3:20).King Solomon undertook many building projects. And, because of his obedience to God, his wisdom and wealth were greatly increased.
The weight of the gold that Solomon received yearly was 666 talents [that is, about 25 tons (about 23 metric tons)], not including the revenues from merchants and traders and from all the Arabian kings and the governors of the land.
King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. (1 Kings 10:14,27, NIV)
Solomon describes even more building projects than listed in today’s Bible reading, in another book written late in his life (Ecclesiastes 2:4-9). King Solomon becomes more famous than any other before him. Furthermore, Solomon “ruled over all the kings from the [Euphrates] River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt” (2 Chronicles 9:26, NIV).
Even though people are impressed by his wealth and power, they are more impressed with his wisdom. Queen of Sheba comes to visit and witness what she has been told about him.
When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed.
She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard.
How happy your men must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!
Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD's eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness.” (1Kings 10:4-9, NIV)
To be rich is not a sin. God has given many people the ability to produce wealth. It is the use of money, and in what or whom we are trusting that is the determining factor. In the first century A.D., the Apostle Paul instructs a young pastor named Timothy,
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life (1Timothy 6:17-19, NIV)This verse does not mean we can gain eternal life through our money, but that we Christians should use our resources for good and eternal purposes.
We cannot find meaning in life by accumulating more wealth, but we can find it by admitting we are poor in spirit and accepting the spiritual life which Jesus Christ offers us (more...).
Do people praise God for how we use our wealth to help others? Do they praise him for how we treat those who serve us or are employed by us?
Solomon began well, asking for wisdom to lead Israel as their new king, and God granted his request.
God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.
Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom. (1Kings 4:29-30, 34, NIV)
In our next week of Bible studies, we will look at many of the Proverbs he wrote. Proverbs are wise sayings or life principles written in poetic form. They are not promises but general principles which are usually true.
Focus Verse
Ecclesiastes 2:26ab (NIV) “To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.”
Discussion
Is it wrong to be wealthy? Why or Why not?
God gives many the ability to produce wealth. What is the determining factor in the use of money?
Where and How do we find meaning in life?
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
Looking Ahead: In our Next Lesson, we begin a series in Solomon’s book of Proverbs. This book might be called Practical Wisdom for Living. Join us!
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