Tristan Hicks
The Pride of Prosperity
The purpose of Solomon’s wealth and wisdom was to draw the surrounding nations to Israel. Their curiosity would then give them exposure to the true God of heaven, a God very unlike their capricious gods.
But Solomon wanted even more gold and wealth. He amassed more and more by heavily taxing his people. He married many foreign women in order to form alliances with the surrounding nations. Both of these led him away from faith and trust in God. Because of Solomon’s sins, after his death the kingdom would be split into two. At the end of his life Solomon recognized that everything was vainity – riches, women, pleasures, and even wisdom.
The treasures of this earth are nothing like what God has in store for us: everlasting life in His presence, spending eterntiy learning more and more about His amazing love for us.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21