Day 155, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 1Kings 4:20-28; 1Kings 10:14-29; 2Chronicles 9:13-28; 2Chronicles 1:14-17
Good Times
Success! Finally, we climb to the top of the corporate ladder, attain the position we always wanted, or reach a significant milestone in our life. We receive recognition. We are at the top of our game and earn rewards. Life is good, and life is sweet.
When our influence and wealth increase, however, beware; it is then that we’re most vulnerable to fall from greatness. We can get caught up with our success and become proud and overconfident. Then we might get sloppy in handling our business or personal life and underestimate our opponents.
Enjoying God’s Blessings
In today’s Bible reading, King Solomon is rich and famous beyond all imagination.
God grants him wealth and honor because he fears the LORD and Solomon’s desire for wisdom to rule Israel pleases God (1Kings 3:12-14).
During the time of his reign, God extends the borders of Israel all the way east to the river Euphrates, in what is now Iraq, and west to Gaza, the land of the Philistines, bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Israel’s southern border extends to Egypt and its northern border to Syria.
The nation of Israel is united and lives in happiness and peace without fear of attack. Other countries eagerly trade with her and make Solomon wealthy. “King Solomon [is] greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth” (2Chronicles 9:22, NIV). Daily, he adds to his vast store of gold, silver, and precious stones, valuable spices, richly ornamented clothing, apes, horses, chariots. He also accumulates a multitude of wives and concubines (secondary wives).
Don’t Forget the Giver
Because of his wealth and fame, King Solomon forgets God and his instructions:
The king, moreover, must not gain great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the LORD has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” He must not take many wives, or they will lead astray his heart. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.
When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees. (Deuteronomy 17:16-19, NIV)
Like Solomon, when times are good, we, too, may stop depending on God, reading his Word (the Bible), and praying. King Solomon lives his life in a humanistic fashion. The book of Ecclesiastes, written later by him, suggests this. When God gives us success, we must not grow overconfident and careless.
How do we Handle the Lure of Riches and Success?
Solomon tells us, “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint” (Proverbs 23:4, NIV).
The prophet Jeremiah would later write,
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD (Jeremiah 9:23-24, NIV).
Still later in history, the Apostle Paul would write to a young pastor,
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment (1Timothy 6:17, NIV).
Do we know God? He can give us forgiveness, peace, and spiritual life (more). He will be with us in good times and bad. Let's remember the LORD in good times. He rewards the faithful and those who give him all the glory.
Discussion
Should we feel guilty if we are wealthy and successful? Why or why not?
How do we handle the lure of success? How should our wealth be used?
What do we need to do in order not to forget God, the giver of our wealth?
Focus Verse
1Timothy 6:17, NIV “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”
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Looking Ahead: King Solomon is accumulating many wives. Solomon is in love with one of them, and in our next two lessons, we will read about their love story. We will learn how to Keep Love Strong in a relationship. The Song of Solomon is a good Bible study for married couples and singles.
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