How can we use our resources to honor God like Solomon did? Solomon’s Shipments Arrive 2 Chronicles 9:10 records the moment “The servants of Hiram and of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, also brought algum wood and precious stones.” These luxury items would be channeled straight into honoring the LORD—chiefly through finishing and adorning the temple (see 1 Kings 7:48-51). Solomon’s choices give us a template for stewarding every resource God places in our hands. What Solomon Actually Did with the Wealth • Dedicated it to worship, not personal display (2 Chronicles 5:13) • Employed master craftsmen so God’s house would reflect God’s glory (2 Chronicles 2:7-9) • Organized international partnerships (Hiram of Tyre) to multiply the impact (1 Kings 5:1-12) • Kept giving beyond the temple’s completion, stocking its treasuries for future ministry (1 Kings 7:51) Principles We Can Imitate Today 1. Recognize the Source – “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). Nothing we own is self-made. – Perspective shift: we manage God’s property. 2. Prioritize Worship First – “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest” (Proverbs 3:9-10). – Budget giving before lifestyle upgrades; that’s firstfruits thinking. 3. Invest in God’s House and Mission – Local church: staffing, facilities, outreach. – Global mission: sending workers, translating Scripture, caring for the poor (Matthew 28:19-20; Galatians 2:10). 4. Pursue Excellence, Not Extravagance – Solomon used algum wood and artisan skill to reflect God’s splendor, not to flaunt status. – In modern terms: quality that communicates God’s worth without wasteful vanity. 5. Give Generously and Cheerfully – “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). – Generosity trains the heart to treasure Christ above possessions (Matthew 6:19-21). 6. Leverage Partnerships – Hiram supplied timber and craftsmen; you can collaborate with trustworthy ministries and fellow believers to extend reach. 7. Let Resources Testify to God’s Greatness – The Queen of Sheba “was breathless” at Solomon’s accomplishments and praised the LORD (2 Chronicles 9:3-8). – When believers steward resources wisely, outsiders notice and may glorify God (Matthew 5:16). Practical Steps for Today • List every income stream and asset; acknowledge each as a gift from God. • Decide a percentage to give before spending anything else. • Support a gospel-centered project requiring skill or beauty (music, media, building repair). • Set aside a “mercy fund” for spontaneous needs (Proverbs 19:17). • Review spending quarterly, asking, “Does this purchase advance worship, mission, or loving people?” • Teach the next generation by involving them in giving decisions (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). The Outcome God Promises • Provision: “Your barns will be filled with plenty” (Proverbs 3:10). • Eternal dividend: “Store up treasure in heaven” (Matthew 6:20). • Witness: “They may take hold of the treasure of life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:19). Solomon’s caravans remind us: resources become worship when they move from our hands into God’s purposes. |
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