1 Kings Chapter 10 – Of what value are riches and honour to our God?
This chapter speaks of the peak of king Solomon’s fame and fortune – the prominence of his reign, incontestable God-given wisdom and immeasurable wealth.
At this juncture, king Solomon had the world, all its splendour and authorities, wrapped around his finger. He surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom, so much so, all the earth eagerly sought his presence to witness this very wisdom for themselves, were utterly in awe of him, clearly saw God working through him and knew to give glory to God because of it. (1 Kings 10: 23, 24)
For a man who had everything and could ask for anything he ever wanted without lifting a finger himself, you’d expect him to live life completely fulfilled, lacking in nothing, have no need to seek for more, for better (spoiler alert: the contents and essence of the book of Ecclesiastes prove otherwise).
Two points of reflection from this chapter are as follows:
- How eager are we in seeking the Lord our God?
The way in which all the earth, far and wide, eagerly sought after king Solomon can be likened to the treatment of celebrities and the beautiful, rich and famous of today. The world idolises them because they are fascinated and enthralled by what their eyes can see, of the reputation these ‘high profile’ individuals seemingly built for themselves.
As followers of Christ, have we lost sight of the One who is above all these things, the One who is Lord over all things, far more deserving, far worthier of all praise and glory? If we are already so mesmerised by mighty men, how much more should we stand amazed in the mere presence of our unseen almighty God? How much more zealously should we seek to find and know the One who sees all things, the One even the heaven of heavens cannot contain?
- Where is the value in storing up for ourselves treasures (including an inheritance) on earth?
Is not all vanity? Do we not work for and seek all in vain? What is the use of laying up for ourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal? For where our treasures are, there our hearts will be also. (Matthew 6: 19-21) For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8: 36, 37)
This chapter can be likened to a prelude to king Solomon’s impending downfall. So great was the height of king Solomon’s reign, his downfall was nothing short of a tragedy. I wonder if in all his wisdom, albeit still limited, king Solomon was able to foresee that his status and magnitude of material possessions only pulled him further and further away from God, eventually causing even his heart to turn.
“But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall not return that way again.’ Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself.”
(Deuteronomy 17: 16, 17)
All that God added onto king Solomon and all that God adds onto us are for the sole purpose of adding to our faith, trust and hope in Him, for us to see for ourselves that, as Lord over all, everything God provides He can also take away; to see that the preservation of our lives is completely contingent upon the presence of His constant abidance.
There is no shortage of stern warnings against the excessive accumulation of wealth on earth. Conversely, the Bible has demonstrated that vastness of wealth is not necessarily representative of one’s closeness and faithfulness to God.
However, our hearts can only serve one master – the probability that the more we have on earth, the more likely we struggle to let go of and depart from these things is dangerously high (the struggle (with such temptations) is real!). Indeed, what an insurmountable challenge it is to deny oneself, submit to the infilling of the Holy Spirit, and commit to following Christ to the end, especially when one has grown inextricably bound to earthly gain.
This is the ultimate goal and value of all that we strive for:
God charges us through Paul’s command to Timothy that we should instruct those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, not trust in uncertain riches but in Him, the living God, who gives richly all things to enjoy. Our richness in this world should be of good works, that we should be ready to give, willing to share, storing up for ourselves a good foundation for the time and the incorruptible things to come, that we may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6: 17-19)
These are wise words to take to heart, to keep in faithfulness, especially in this new era of perpetual uncertainty when our minds, previously so accustomed to and favouring patterns of predictability, frantically search for refuge in some semblance of stability. Holding on to God means laying hold on true peace this world can never give, a peace that surpasses all understanding and will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4: 7), all in the midst of unforeseen winds of change.
May God grant us the grace and mercy to wholly understand and be found worthy of the honourable nature and unparalleled, priceless value of eternal life in Him.
