Seeking God

Earthly gain is a powerful force that can draw us away from God. In the Old Testament, Solomon provides a good example. Initially he was devoted to God, serving as an example to others of living for God, but that did not last.

His wealth was immense, so much so that silver was not considered valuable because it was “as common as stones” (1 Kings 10:37). King Solomon was blessed by God with riches and wisdom. Because of this, “All the earth was seeking the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom which God had put in his heart (10:24).”

The accumulation of great wealth and wisdom was not the sole purpose of Solomon’s kingdom. Israel was to be an example to the world of God’s righteousness, His faithfulness, His desire to redeem all people. People all over the world heard about Solomon and sought the wisdom given to him by God. The Queen of Sheba, who visited Solomon, remarked, “Nevertheless I did not believe the reports, until I came and my eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. You exceed in wisdom and prosperity the report which I heard (10:7).”

God has blessed you with specific talents and possessions. It may not seem like much, but everything you have can be used to draw people to Christ. We have a choice to use our talents and possessions for our own gain or for the Kingdom of God. Even with Solomon’s great wealth and wisdom, he squandered it and was distracted from his true purpose: “He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away. For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been (1 Kings 11:4).”

Don’t let the desires of this world draw you away from God. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).”

© 2021, CGThelen