The Principles Of Wealth Creation -Reflections From King Solomon Series

Imagine being in the city of Jerusalem 3000 years ago. You see the palace of King Solomon. The walls are lined with cedar. The drinking vessels are made of pure gold. The sheer volume of wealth is so overwhelming that silver was considered common, why? Because there was so much gold. He had made stables with thousands of horses-the cars of those days.

At the center of the city, was the temple of Solomon. The temple was one of the wonders of the ancient world. King David himself had collected vast treasures for its construction.

When completed, tourists would came in from the world over, to see it. Israel believed it would last forever.

The plans for its construction were made by divine inspiration.

Sister Ellen G. White, in her book, the Great Controversy, confirms that the temple was the most magnificent building which the world had ever seen. Other than its sheer beauty and splendor;

• A cloud of glory filled the sanctuary.

• When they offered sacrifice upon its altar, fire from heaven would descend and consume the sacrifice.

• Inside it was the ark of the covenant that Moses had made, which had the mercy seat, and the tables of the testimony.

• In the Most Holy place, the Shekhinah glory abode between the Cherubims.

• And whenever a priest would inquire of the will of Jehovah inside it, a voice would sound from heaven to make known to the inquiring priest the will of Jehovah.

But if you walked past the gold, past the ivory throne and past the stables with their thousands of horses, you would find the true source of this empire. You would find a library. You would find the scrolls. King Solomon wrote two pillars of a financial empire; a manual of operations in Proverbs and a risk management strategy in Ecclesiastes.

What money challenge do you have today? You are working harder than your parents ever did. You are earning more than people did 20 years ago. But somehow you are broke. All that you earn vanishes; and you have no savings.

What is your current biggest money struggle. Is it debt? Is it spending too much?

So, what principles of wealth building can we learn from King Solomon that can assist us to grow our wealth in a Godly way?

Principle 1: Wealth begins with Wisdom. God appeared to King Solomon and said, “ask for anything you want”. Most people would have ask for money; most people would have ask for power. But Solomon asked for wisdom. And because he asked for wisdom, God gave him wealth also.

He had so much money that silver became worthless in Jerusalem, for there was so much gold. Proverbs 3:13-18 says, “13 Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.

So, what is wisdom on matters finance? Wisdom in finance is what is known as financial literacy. Financial literacy is what can give you the highest return on your investments.

Here is the harsh truth; most people lose money, not because they do not have opportunities, but because they do not have knowledge. So, they move with the current. They buy bitcoin because everyone else is doing it, and loose. They invest in businesses they do not understand, and loose. The ignorance tax is the most expensive tax you will ever pay.

But Why? Why is ignorance on money matters dangerous? It is dangerous because money does not change who you are, it only magnifies who you are! If you are reckless, then, more money to you will only result in more expensive mistakes. But if you are wise, then more money to you will become more impactful for good!

It matters little the much you make in a period; just remember this; before you ask God to increase your income, ask Him to increase your wisdom. Start learning about money stewardship. Start learning about debt management; and start investments in the Godly way. Why? Not because you worship money, but because you want your money to honor God.

Principle two: Stewardship. Do you actually own your money? Think about it. You cannot take it with you when you die. Inflation steals its value while you sleep, the government can freeze your accounts. So, do you really own it?

King Solomon confirms in Ecclesiastes 3:11 that, “He (God) has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end”.