“God said to Solomon, “Since this is your
heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honour, 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,
therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you
wealth, possessions and honour, such as no king who was before you ever had and
none after you will have.” 2Chronicles 1:11-12
Solomon had just offered a thousand burnt offerings to the LORD. GOD was ‘impressed’ and asked him
to demand whatever he wanted. Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge in order
to be a good leader to God’s
people. Again, GOD was ‘amazed’ and pledged to grant his request and give him even
more. Why? If you want to be rich and
prosperous, follow Solomon’s example.
1. Honour
the LORD
Solomon had just lost his father. He was grieving. But instead of
shutting himself in his palace, crying, refusing food and being angry with GOD,
he summoned the people and offered one thousand sacrifices to GOD. Wow! Beloved,
even amidst pain and suffering GOD remains GOD and must be honoured and exalted
above anything else. He wants us to give thanks in EVERY circumstance (1Thess
5:18). This is a way of showing that we trust Him. How do you react when you
lose someone or something dear to your heart?
2.
Mind, love and take care of GOD’s people
GOD paid with the blood of His Son to acquire
them; in other words, they are priceless. Mind the way you treat them. “Let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the
household of faith” (Gal 6:10). The Bible
exhorts us to love our neighbours as ourselves, but over and over again, Jesus
said: “Love one another: just as I have
loved you, you also are to love one another.” He meant that we are to love
GOD’s people, our brethren in the Christian faith, even more than we love
ourselves. That’s the hallmark of a true disciple: loving GOD’s people with the
love of Christ – i.e. being ready to die for them… And let me say that if this
was not humanly possible, GOD would not require it from us. He is not sadistic
and knows what we are made of.
“Die” for GOD’s people – Kill your ego, your inner ‘Self’.
- Sacrifice your time – Don’t skip church meetings. Visit the brethren.
- Sacrifice your stomach – Fast for the brethren.
- Sacrifice your resources – Use the money that you had put aside for the latest hairdo, or that particular shoe, or for a trip, in order to help a brother or a sister in need.
- Put the interests of GOD’s people before yours. Yes, some people might tend to take advantage of such disposition, even in Jesus’ flock; and that’s why Solomon prayed for wisdom and knowledge (some versions have discernment). What I mean is that when GOD sees your heart, He should always see someone who is ready and willing to go that extra mile and sacrifice something for the sake of His people.
Solomon truly desired the good of the people. He did not become king for
personal gain or to oppress them. He loved, respected GOD’s people and wanted
to bless them wholeheartedly.
I will stop here for now. The third and last point, the one that inspired
this posting, is a bit long and I don’t want to drag this piece. There’s already enough food for thought here. We’ll conclude
next week.
To your prosperity!
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