God’s Story... For My Life
A Tally of Riches
Read 1 Kings 10:14-29
King Solomon made 200 large shields of hammered gold, each weighing more than fifteen pounds. He also made 300 smaller shields of hammered gold, each weighing nearly four pounds. The king placed these shields in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon.
Then the king made a huge throne, decorated with ivory and overlaid with fine gold. The throne had six steps and a rounded back. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, and the figure of a lion stood on each side of the throne. There were also twelve other lions, one standing on each end of the six steps. No other throne in all the world could be compared with it! . . .
So King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king on earth. People from every nation came to consult him and to hear the wisdom God had given him. Year after year everyone who visited brought him gifts of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.
(1 Kings 10:16-20, 23-25)
Reflect
Why does the Bible place so much emphasis on Solomon’s material possessions? In the Old Testament, riches were considered tangible evidence of God’s blessing. Prosperity was seen as a proof of right living. In the books of Ecclesiastes and Job this concept is placed in a broader perspective. In ideal conditions, people prosper when God runs their lives, but prosperity is not guaranteed. Wealth does not prove that a person is living rightly before God, and poverty does not indicate sin. In fact, a greater evidence that a person is living for God is the presence of suffering and persecution (Mark 10:29-31; 13:13). The most important “treasure” is not earthly, but heavenly (Matthew 6:19-21; 19:21; 1 Timothy 6:17-19).
In accumulating chariots and horses, a huge harem, and incredible wealth, Solomon violated God’s commands for a king (Deuteronomy 17:14-20). Why were they prohibited? God knew how these activities would hurt the nation both politically and spiritually (1 Samuel 8:11-18). The more luxurious Solomon’s court became, the more the people were taxed. Excessive taxation created unrest, and soon conditions became ripe for a revolution.
Respond
The gift of greatest worth has no price tag—it is the gift of salvation freely offered by God. This gift restores the recipient to fellowship with God. Will you invite someone to receive this gift?