Wisdom: key to wealth

There are various keys to wealth mentioned in the bible. In this article, we consider one of the keys, exemplified through the life of Solomon. The story of Solomon is found in 1 Kings.

The key to wealth in Solomon’s case was wisdom. God was the one who had promised Solomon riches (1 Kings 3:5-14) as God was pleased with Solomon’s desire to seek after him. God had asked Solomon what he wanted from him, and Solomon asked for wisdom to govern God’s people. God was so impressed that he made a promise of wealth to him

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honour—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings" (1 Kings 4:10-13)

Solomon was so wise that all the earth sought to hear his wisdom and all the earth brought him gifts ( 1Kings 10:24-25).

Because the LORD was with him, Solomon continued to grow in favour, power and wealth

"29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. 30 Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt (1 Kings 4:29-30)

It’s interesting that Solomon states in Proverbs 16:16 ‘How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.’. Wisdom was the gift that led to his wealth. Wisdom and knowledge lead to wealth which is what Proverbs 16:16 is about

1 Kings 4:32-33 gives us more insight into his wisdom. ‘32 He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five. 33 Also he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish.". It would seem that he was an ‘all-rounder’ in many matters

Solomon’s legacy

Solomon left many religious writings. Fortunately for us, these are recorded in Song of Solomon, Psalm, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Solomon left writings about wealth mainly in the books of Ecclesiastes and Proverbs

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon reviewed his life and considered all as vanity. He encouraged us to hold on to wisdom, for it will guide and protect us. The chief end of man he says is to love, obey and serve God. Everything else, he says is vanity.

"18 Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. 19 As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart." (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20)

Solomon was essentially saying that it’s not about wealth, power, prestige or popularity. It’s all about God. Solomon ends by saying "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter

3 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
14 For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

Ecclesiastes 6:2 "2 A man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing for himself of all he desires; yet God does not give him power to eat of it, but a foreigner consumes it. This is vanity, and it is an evil affliction."
Ecclesiastes 10:19 "19 A feast is made for laughter,
And wine makes merry;
But money answers everything."

Ecclesiastes 2:26 "26 For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind."

Ola Aroyehun is the editor of ‘The Christian Business Magazine’ – a magazine dedicated to applying biblical truths to the world of business. She has a desire to see Christians be ‘students’ of the word and not just ‘readers of the world’.

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