Solomon the Rich (1 Kings 4)

Let’s play a game.

I’ll name a biblical character and you say the first thing that comes to mind.

Adam…(your response)

Noah…(your response)

Solomon…if you said “wise,” well done. We learned last week, in 1 Kings 3, that Solomon asked for and was given wisdom from God.

But there’s another “w” that is often associated with Solomon. Can you guess it?

If you said “women,” you’re also right. Read 1 Kings 11 for more on that.

But let me press you for one final answer that begins with “w.” It’s what we learn about in 1 Kings 4:20-28. It’s a synonym for riches or money. And if you still need help, it rhymes with “stealth.”

You probably guessed it - Wealth!

Solomon was wealthy; incredibly wealthy. And it was God who made him so.

Having wealth is not a problem. In fact, it’s a gift from God. What we do with what we’ve been given is where the problems sometimes surface.

Maybe you can relate.

To hear more about Christians and money and God and idols and wisdom join us this Sunday!

- Pastor Tim

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Two things I ask of you;
deny them not to me before I die:
Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with the food that is needful for me,
lest I be full and deny you
and say, “Who is the Lord?”
or lest I be poor and steal
and profane the name of my God.

-Proverbs 30:1-9