daily bible readings

I am not sure where the health, wealth and prosperity gospel originated from, but today’s passage is a prime contender for their preaching. Solomon worshipped God and was given great wisdom. Out of his wisdom and worship, flowed unimaginable wealth. I can picture the archetypical TV evangelistic spruiking, “If you worship God with your whole life and if you are wise with your money, investing heavily in the Kingdom of God, through _______ Ministries, God will make gold in your house as numerous as the stones around it.”

But, is this a fair interpretation of the passage? We have to admit that wise living and wise use of money can, and often does, lead to increased wealth. But, in such scenarios, God is not a necessary or fundamental element. The greatest atheists can put such wisdom into practice and grow their wealth.

God appeared to Solomon in a dream and made him a unique offer. Solomon responded by asking for wisdom to do the work of kingship that God had given him to do. After Solomon’s request, God responded, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honour, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”

This section closes with a confirmation of God being faithful to His promise. “Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. 15 The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills. 16 Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue—the royal merchants purchased them from Kue. 17 They imported a chariot from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. They also exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and of the Arameans.” 2 Chronicles 1:14–17.

God had indeed been faithful to His Word. He made a unique offer to Solomon and then blessed Solomon as King of His people with unimaginable wealth and prosperity.

This offer is not made directly to us at any particular point in the Bible, especially in the New Testament. But, because our King, Jesus, has been perfectly obedient to the will of God and because He has conquered death, he has promised all believers a better inheritance. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3–5. In Christ, according to Ephesians 1:3 we have every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.

Solomon was granted wealth and material blessings because of his Godward heart and because of his calling to be the king over God’s people. A poor king would be the laughing stock of the world. God used Solomon to advance His kingdom and His great name.

But, living this side of the cross, we know that we will receive an inheritance from the Lord (Col 3:24) because Christ has qualified us to share in it (Col 1:12). This is inheritance is kept in heaven for us and  will never perish, spoil or fade (1 Peter 1:3-5).

Prayer:

Adoration:

• Adore God that  He richly blesses His people in ways that are best for them.
• Adore God that He works all things for the good of those who love Him.

Confession:

• Take time to confess your sins to the Lord and to ask for forgiveness

Thanks:

• Thank God that you have every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus.
• Thank God that you have an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, an inheritance that will never perish, spoil or fade.

Supplication:

• Pray that the Lord God Almighty would meet all the financial needs of your congregation through the generous giving of the saints.
• Pray that the Lord would work powerfully in and through your congregation to grow the Kingdom and to mature those in the Kingdom.

 Discussion Questions

1. Discuss what the NT says bout wealth and Christians.