For those who follow a different format to read chronological Bible studies, surprise! I am showing it in a blog post today. Enjoy and let me know what you think. Okay, to continue…Some people, just because a few Christians have been blessed by the Lord in material ways, think they must have gotten it through cheating or extortion. That is probably not true! They wanted a better life. Wealth and wisdom; how can we have both? they asked. Isn’t that possible? It is, and while there is absolutely no guarantee of riches, many Christians who reverence the Lord, seek his wisdom, and are entrepreneurial, become wealthy. 

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

Is it wrong to have wealth? 

No, money is not evil, but the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10), so yes there is danger. But, no matter our state, we can still fear God and have wisdom. In fact, maybe that is why many Christians are rich. 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.

Solomon’s riches and wisdom

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. What are people impressed about us–our wealth or wisdom?

The Queen of Sheba is impressed with Solomon’s wealth and wisdom

When the Queen of Sheba came to visit, she 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)

Are we using our wealth for the Lord or is it using us?

To be rich is not a sin. God has given many people the ability to produce wealth. It is the use of money, and what or whom we are trusting in 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…). He also blesses some with entrepreneurial abilities.

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?

God blesses Solomon with greater wealth and wisdom

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?

Sample prayer: Lord, you have blessed us with your Word to show us you and your ways. You have shown us how to have wisdom and even how we might increase our wealth. Thank you. Forgive us for following our own foolish paths. Convict our hearts with your Spirit, and encourage us to follow your path. We reverence you and thank you for the dear gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. May we live for him who died for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen

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