Day 163 – Solomon & His Wealth

• Today we’re going to delve into the book of Ecclesiastes. It’s one of my favourite books in the Bible, and we’ll also be reading it on day 165. I’ve included a link to the regular explanatory video below for you to hear more about this very interesting little book. As always, I highly encourage you to listen to it.
• Describe some of the riches of Solomon, as listed in the passage in 1 Kings 10. How does reading this make you feel?
• Do you think it was right or wrong for Solomon to have great wealth? For perspectives on both sides of that question, refer to 1 Kings 3:13 and Deuteronomy 17:16-17.
• Think about the start of David’s life and the situation his son Solomon is now in. God doesn’t promise riches like this for us, but does it show that He can work mighty things in our lives, whatever our situation?
• The Israelite nation isn’t a bunch of people lost in a desert any more, is it? How has life changed in the 450(ish) years since the exile? How do you think the nations around Israel view them now?
• Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature section of the bible. Chapter 1:1 suggests that Solomon wrote it (although that can’t be completely confirmed). If he did write it, he was probably in older age, as it refers to spending time trying to find meaning away from God, and coming to the conclusion that that can never truly be.
• We’re going to read chapter 1 of Ecclesiastes a little later, but you may find it helpful to read it now and get a handle on the way the book opens. What is he saying that the things in life are like, if you were consider our time on earth without God?
• What’s being said in Ecclesiastes 2:1-11? List all the things Solomon says he tried to find “meaning” in. There are lots of examples! Solomon may have found temporary pleasure in doing things, but what conclusion did he eventually reach about their long-term worth? Ecclesiastes 2:11 is really quite poignant.
• The passages Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 focuses more specifically on wealth, and the danger that can come from loving it.What dangers are they? Verses 15 and 17 help give two suggestions, but there are others.
• Solomon amassed more wealth than any of us could dream about. Many think wealth brings happiness. What was Solomon’s conclusion? Why do people want to be rich? Why might you?

Wealth in itself isn’t bad. We in the UK are fortunate to have many good things and live in comparative wealth. Some of us enjoy real wealth, foreign holidays and all those sorts of things. It’s OK to enjoy these good gifts we have, when used responsibly of course.

In 1 Timothy 6:10, Paul talks about the problem of the “love of money”. Loving money more than Jesus is seriously dangerous. Not only does it put your trust in earthly things that have no foundation, but it will never truly satisfy you, just like the list of things Solomon found to be unsatisfying.

Do you know about Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well? Every day she had to collect more water, for water, of course, only temporarily satisfies. In Jesus, she could experience living water. It’s the same with money. Through Jesus we have true hope, a firm foundation and deep, eternal satisfaction – something money can never buy or achieve.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C8eptuKato