I almost called this post, "The Problem with Success" But the truth is that Americans (and in large part people around the world) consider success to be one thing - having lots of money. In my last post, we explored the wisdom and fame Solomon acquired. He was granted so much wisdom and fame that foreigners came to hear and receive it. The Queen of Sheba rightly attested to God's purpose in the prosperity of Solomon's life - to bless God's people whom He loved.
Solomon is indeed driven by this purpose and the beginning of his zenith is marked with using God's blessing to bless the people. But before long in 2 Chronicles 9 we see his misuse of the blessing.
2 Chronicles 9:13–14 (ESV) Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold, 14 besides that which the explorers and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the land brought gold and silver to Solomon.
Solomon continues to grow and increase. We are given here an unheard of yearly income with a notable number to many Bible readers listed. What will Solomon do with all this increase?
2 Chronicles 9:15–16 (ESV) King Solomon made 200 large shields of beaten gold; 600 shekels of beaten gold went into each shield. 16 And he made 300 shields of beaten gold; 300 shekels of gold went into each shield; and the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
Before long, Solomon uses the gold to amass for himself a "golden army" full of weapons he can both display and possibly use. The next verse tells us a bit more:
2 Chronicles 9:17 (ESV) The king also made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with pure gold.
The king makes an oppulent throne. Instead of using God's blessing for the blessing of the people, Solomon starts to focus on his "instagram" lifestyle. He starts a program of self-celebration that will lead to the undoing of his kingdom. The passage continues:
2 Chronicles 9:20 (ESV) All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. Silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon.
You know it's getting ridiculous when your glassware is gold! This is the problem with money. It blinds you to the needs of the people and centers you on yourself. This is the reason we are commanded to tithe and give a portion of our income. God wants to break the idolatry of self from off our lives. He will take care of our needs, He will richly provide for us. We need only to obey Him and be a vessel through which His blessings flow through us to others.
Solomon eventually found the truth about all his increase. He wrote about it in Ecclesiastes at the end of his life:
First: That more money is never enough.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 (ESV) He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.
Second: That more money increases the attention of the takers in your life.
Ecclesiastes 5:11 (ESV) When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes?
Third: That money is really not enjoyable.
Ecclesiastes 6:2 (ESV) a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil.
The problem with money is that it promises what only God can provide. This is why Jesus said:
Luke 12:33 (ESV) Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
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