Scheduled Reading: (click here to read passage; Click back in your browser to return to this devotional)
- 2 Chronicles 8:1-9:31
- Psalm 90:16-91:4
- Proverbs 19:4-5
- Acts 19:13-41
Oh to Be a Fly on the Wall...
God kept His promise to Solomon above and beyond. Jesus described God's faithfulness and blessing to the generous as super compacted - shaken together, pressed down (Luke 6:38). By all accounts, Solomon was blessed beyond measure in wisdom and wealth early on in his reign. Did you see the animals he imported into Israel? Apes & baboons? Really? I guess he had a zoo. The Queen of Sheba brought her entourage with her along with some awesome spices. Chelsea Clinton's wedding could never compare! But to hear about it in the media this week, you'd think otherwise. Then finally, Solomon seemed to have an effective immigration protocol. He had plenty of foreign visitors coming to hear his wisdom and see his wealth, but he seemed to do a much better job than the USA in sending his visitors back home. Meanwhile, Arizona is fighting it out with the federal government. Where is Solomon today??
I would love to get my hands on a transcript of the dialogue between King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Can you imagine the questions she asked and the answers he gave? Wow.
The "health and wealth Gospel" says God wants His children to be wealthy and that financial trouble is indicative of God's displeasure. Others say abundant wealth is a sin. I say these philosophies focus on the wrong place. It is difficult to judge what is sinful or blessing in this area. Instead, I say we should focus on whatever brings God glory. Isn't that what the Queen of Sheba did when she saw Solomon's great wealth? It is not about us and our comfort or status. It is about our capacity to glorify God. This is true in all things, not just about wealth and health.
Do you have an abundance of wealth and opportunity? God has blessed you with such as a means to glorify Him. Do that and you will be further blessed. Has God entrusted you with the difficulties of poor health or limited resources? Count it as a high calling to glorify God with your faith in His provision.
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