Today’s Reading : I Kings 10-11; II Chronicles 9; I Timothy 6
The wealth and the beauty of King Solomon have been told so many times it not only transcends to Christian religion, but it goes to other religions. This is a testament of how impactful and how powerful Solomon’s connection with God. Solomon is even referenced by Christ and the beatitudes.
“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!”
Solomon was visited by the queen of Sheba to be a confidant or an advisor for her. Sheba actually is a place that is one of the great empires in the Arabia and African regions during this time. Solomon’s wisdom was reported throughout the land which influence was spread to Sheba, which was a place of prestige and of education. For the queen of Sheba to come to visit, Solomon was an important meeting. It doesn’t say how long she was there, but it could’ve been for quite some time. From this, we can see that Solomon was a man of wisdom and wealth. The gifts that the queen brought to him was equivalent to $3.6 million during that time. The calculations for our current time are astronomical.
Solomon had wealth. Solomon had wisdom. He was known all over the land for his talents. The most important thing we have to remember, is these talents were gifts from God and that were used for God and the betterment of his glory. Solomon had a great relationship with God.
“Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart. For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.”
1 Kings 11:1-4 ESV
We don’t have to be perfect, but we must continue to make progress. When Solomon lost his focus and relationship with God, he lost his connection. God tried to re-establish the relationship. Solomon allowed others to influence him and take his heart away from God. This happens to everyone.
We now have the Holy Spirit to help us constantly. The Holy Spirit is also known as God the Spirit. We now are able to be in relationship with God all of that time. With this connection and our realization of progress and not perfection we are able to grow with him. It all starts with the relationship. With the relationship, we have the access to all of the riches and wisdom that God has for us. Let us be aware and ready for what God has for us: wisdom, wealth, and relationships.
Be blessed