Tag: material goods

When Blessings Become Distractions

1 Kings 9–10

Psalm 60

1 Corinthians 11

-Devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL)

Solomon’s kingdom had reached astonishing heights.

The temple was complete.
The palace was built.
The nation was prosperous.
The surrounding kingdoms were amazed.

1 Kings chapters 9–10 describe a period of extraordinary success. Solomon’s wisdom became internationally famous. Wealth flowed into Jerusalem. Leaders traveled great distances just to hear him speak. Even the Queen of Sheba came away overwhelmed by what she witnessed.

From the outside, it looked like the golden age of Israel.

And yet, hidden beneath all the glory is a quiet warning.

God appeared to Solomon again and reminded him of something critically important:

“If you or your descendants turn away from me… then I will cut off Israel from the land…”
— 1 Kings 9:6-7

Why would God give such a warning during the kingdom’s greatest moment of success?

Because prosperity can be spiritually dangerous.

Hardship often drives people toward God.
Success often tempts people to slowly forget Him.

When life falls apart, people pray desperately.
When life feels secure, people sometimes begin trusting the blessings more than the One who provided them.

That danger still exists today.

A good career can slowly replace dependence upon God.
A comfortable life can dull spiritual urgency.
Even ministry success can quietly become pride.

And Solomon’s story demonstrates how subtle that drift can be.

These chapters list staggering amounts of gold, military strength, trade networks, luxurious possessions, and political influence. None of those things were automatically sinful by themselves. But together they reveal a king whose attention was gradually shifting from simple devotion toward accumulation, prestige, and earthly security.

The human heart has a dangerous tendency to turn gifts into idols.

The Queen of Sheba recognized that Solomon’s wisdom came from God. Sadly, Solomon himself would eventually begin losing sight of that truth.

That makes these chapters deeply relevant for us.

Sometimes the greatest spiritual threat is not suffering.
Sometimes it is success.

The Bible never teaches that money, achievement, or influence are the ultimate goal. In fact, all earthly kingdoms eventually fade. Solomon’s kingdom — despite all its glory — would soon begin unraveling.

But God’s coming Kingdom will not collapse.

Its foundation will not be gold, military power, or political influence. It will be built upon righteousness, justice, resurrection, and the rule of God’s appointed King.

That is why our hope must never rest primarily in earthly prosperity.

Because even the greatest human kingdoms eventually crack.

Three Things to Remember

  1. Prosperity can distract us from God.

Success often tests the heart more than hardship does.

  1. Blessings should point us back to the Giver.

The Queen of Sheba recognized God’s hand in Solomon’s wisdom.

  1. Earthly kingdoms never last forever.

Only God’s coming Kingdom will endure permanently.

It is easy to assume we are spiritually strong when life is going well.

But sometimes the most dangerous words a person can say are:

“I’ve got this.”

Solomon’s story reminds us that no amount of wisdom, wealth, or success can safely replace humble dependence upon God.

Reflection Questions

  1. Have you seen evidence in your own life or in others that, “prosperity can be spiritually dangerous”?
  2. Focus in on your own life – what blessings have you received that have then stolen some of your time, desire and devotion away from serving God with all your heart?
  3. Do you own too much? Do you value things too much? What is your greatest treasure?
  4. Are you more humble or prideful, thankful or entitled, generous or greedy, kingdom-seeking or self-centered? Is your heart, time and finances more focused on possessions in this life or properly preparing for the one to come?

Prayer

Dear Father – I don’t want any thing that will distract me from doing what You want me to do. I want to keep growing closer and closer to You, not further away. Help me remove excess that gets in the way. Help me be thankful and generous with what You have given me and my family, always focused on You and Your coming kingdom. May my life show that You are my greatest treasure.

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The Master and Manager

Luke 16

Luke 16 13

God and money?  Can a Christian have both? No. Yes. No? Yes? Hmm.

I am to sell all my worldly possession (Luke 18:22), but I am responsible for making sure the physical needs of widows and orphans are met (James 1:27).  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle enter the Kingdom of God (Matt 19:24), but God richly blesses men with wealth who follow him (Prov. 10:22).  I am to store up my treasure in heaven (Matt 6:19), but I am told the wise man saves his riches for a rainy day (1 Cor. 16:12. Prov. 21:20).  On the surface of this topic, it would seem we have contradiction, but thankfully today’s reading might help us come to a clearer conclusion when we consider two powerful, but unequal masters: God and money.

In Luke 16 we are presented with a peculiar parable that shows the strength of the almighty dollar.  As the story opens, we are introduced to a dishonest manager who is in charge of accounting (a running theme) of debts for his master. He learns that his master soon will dismiss him, so as each debtor approaches the manager with their contracted commitment, he forgives a portion of their debt.  Being shrewd, he knows he will be the receiver of their thanks, although it was neither his debt to forgive nor his portion to take.  Jesus makes no misgiving that he was speaking specific directly to the Pharisees, who were fundamentally dealing in the same way.  These “managers” of God put literal prices on forgiveness and offerings, ensuring their comfort, but cheating God of glory, praise, adoration, honor, or extending grace himself.  They, like the shrewd manager, traded their merciful Master for passing provision.

In Dale Carnegie’s famous work, How to Win Friends and Influence People, he states “It isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it.” This is a challenging thought that calls us to contentment, but also in context of this specific parable, helps us increase our focus.  Are you the master or the manager of your wealth? time? health? will? Are they yours to divide, take, or utilize as you please? Who receives honor, praise, and recognition when you offer these things freely to others?  Sometimes we are as shrewd as the Pharisees, thinking a possession, a place, or a position is the source of a joyful life.  They make us feel momentarily like the master, but really, they take us away from our true purpose.

Jesus concludes this parable by saying if we cannot be trusted with the small things, why would God ever give us the BIG things. If we cannot rely upon him for our own daily bread why would he ever ensure we are the steward for the needs of others?  If we are faithful to Him, we are entrusted with more of His bidding, not in direct correlation, but determined by the master (See: “Parable of the Talents”).  Yes, this can include money.  Yes, this can include more time on earth.  BUT GLORY, HALLELUJAH, YES, he is talking about the KINGDOM.

So, can you have God and money? Yes. Can you serve two masters? No.  Will God give you more if you are faithful? Yes.  Is it money? Not necessarily, but IT IS the Master’s wealth beyond measure for His faithful managers.

-Aaron Winner