I Will Give Thee Riches.
God promises to provide for our needs and add riches to our lives if we prioritize his service and make his glory our main end.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes that Solomon's choice of wisdom and knowledge to honor God led to God's abundant blessings, including wealth. This reflects Jesus' teaching that those who seek God's kingdom will have their needs met. Meyer contrasts the biblical view of life with the common pursuit of mere survival and success, urging believers to prioritize serving God's redemptive purposes. He reassures that when we dedicate our lives to God's glory, He will provide for our needs. Ultimately, God desires us to focus on His will, promising that no good thing will be withheld from those who serve Him faithfully.
Text
I will give thee riches. 2 Chron. 1. 11, 12.
SOLOMON had chosen wisdom and knowledge that he might honour God in the sight of his people. And in return God honoured him, and supplemented his choice with abundant wealth.
This reminds one of the constant teaching of Jesus. He who seeks his life loses it; but to lose it is to save it in the best and deepest sense. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added.
The conception of life given in the Bible differs by a whole heaven from the maxims and practices of some good and earnest people. Their notion is that they must work for their living, "keep the wolf from the door," educate their children for successfully meeting the demands of life. These objects are legitimate; but they were never meant by God to be the supreme aim of his servants.
His object in our creation, redemption, and regeneration, was that we might serve his redemptive purposes in the world, manifest his character, do his will, win souls for his kingdom, administer the gifts with which He had entrusted us. He asks us to rise to this high calling, and give our whole life to its realization. He will be responsible for all else. It is surely his will that we should give ourselves to useful trades, and fill our days with honest toil; but the main purpose should ever be his glory, and the exemplification in word and act of his holy character. It we ask for wisdom to do this well, we shall get all eIse into the bargain. God is a being of perfect honour and integrity. And if we dare to make his service the main end of life, we shall find that no good thing will fail. He paves the streets of heaven with gold, and will not withhold it from his children, if they really need.
Sermon Outline
- The Promise of Riches
- God's Promise to Solomon
- The Importance of Priorities
- The Conception of Life in the Bible
Key Quotes
“He who seeks his life loses it; but to lose it is to save it in the best and deepest sense.” — F.B. Meyer
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added.” — F.B. Meyer
“God is a being of perfect honour and integrity.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- We should prioritize God's service and make his glory our main end in life.
- We can trust God to provide for our needs and add riches to our lives if we seek him first.
- Our main purpose in life should be to serve God's redemptive purposes and manifest his character.