TEXT: 1 KINGS 3:3-15
KEY VERSE: 1 Kings 3:5
"In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee."
KJV Study Bible
There are two extremes groups on the subject of prosperity. There are those who believe PROSPERITY IS WORLDLINESS. The second extreme group believes PROSPERITY WITHOUT GODLINESS. The two teachings are dangerous because they are far from the truth. The story of how SOLOMON THE RICHEST MAN in his own time teaches us the PRINCIPLES OF PROSPERITY.
1 Kings 3:5
"In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee."
KJV Study Bible
THE PROSPERITY OF SOLOMON'S STARTED FROM THE PLACE OF PRAYER. He got it from the presence of God. God clearly said I HAVE ALSO GIVEN YOU BOTH RICHES AND HONOUR. God made him the riches man on earth in the PRAYER ROOM. If PROSPERITY is worldliness or sin, God would have not given it to Solomon, for God is HOLY He doesn't give something sinful. This contradicts those who erroneously believed that great wealth or riches is worldliness or sin.
1 Kings 3:13
"And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days."
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God said to Solomon, I HAVE GIVEN YOU ALSO. Take note of the word ALSO. It means God gave him something first before He gave him richest and honour. This takes us to the content of SOLOMON'S PRAYER.
1 Kings 3:5
"In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee."
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1 Kings 3:6
"And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day."
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1 Kings 3:7
"And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in."
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1 Kings 3:8
"And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude."
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1 Kings 3:9
"Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?"
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In this simple prayer lies the PRINCIPLES OF PROSPERITY. God appeared to him while he was in a prayer conference at a place of worship and said, ASK WHAT I SHALL GIVE YOU. God gave him a blank check and asked him to write the amount he wanted. Let's paint the scenario more vividly. A wealthy and most powerful man on earth invited you to his palace and said you should whatever you want. Solomon request would have disappointed many people. Instead of asking for wreath, riches and properties, he asked for an ABSTRACT BLESSING. Wisdom is abstract, it cannot be seen or handled. Solomon knew the PRINCIPLES OF PROSPERITY.
Matthew 6:33
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
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Jesus clearly explained what Solomon did. He CHOSE FIRST the kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is INVISIBLE KINGDOM. This is the second principle of prosperity CHOOSE GOD FIRST. He chose the wisdom of God first and God gave him ALL OTHER THINGS. This principle contradicts the second extreme group who seek PROSPERITY WITHOUT GOD. In the order of God, prosperity is second.
1 Kings 3:4
"And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar."
KJV Study Bible
Something happened before God gave Solomon riches and honour, HE GAVE TO GOD. He gave to God WHAT NO ONE HAS EVER GIVEN. Solomon's giving and sacrifice surpasses all previous givers. He gave more than Abel, Abraham, Noah and David his father. If you want God to give you, GIVE TO HIM.
Luke 6:38
"Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
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Note GIVE (what you do) comes first before GIVEN (what God does) comes second. That's the unbroken law of prosperity.
1 Kings 3:3
"And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places."
KJV Study Bible
The next principle is LOVE. Jesus is the LOVE OF GOD. This is the best principle of prosperity. Solomon LOVED GOD AND WALKED IN HIS COMMANDMENTS. We have looked at THREE PRINCIPLES. Let's rehearse from up down. PROSPERITY PRINCIPLE ONE: LOVE; PROSPERITY PRINCIPLE TWO: GIVE; PROSPERITY PRINCIPLE THREE: GOD FIRST. The journey of prosperity started at, FOR GOD SO LOVE THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON. Accept the love of God, next SEEK HIM FIRST, and lastly GIVE TO GOD.
Deuteronomy 8:18
"But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore unto thy fathers, as it is this day."
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1 Timothy 6:6
"But godliness with contentment is great gain."
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God gave THE POWER TO MAKE WEALTH. He made Solomon the RICHEST MAN ON EARTH. He is the same, what He did in the old testament, he can do MUCH MORE in the new testament. As you seek Him first, He will make you next. But prosperity is not a cover for covetousness. God expects us to be content, happy and satisfied with whatever we have FOR GODLINESS AND CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN.
OTHER READING: PSALM 37:27; 118:25.
PRAYER: OH LORD I BELIEVE IN THE PROSPERITY OF BELIEVERS. I KNOW YOU MADE SOLOMON PROSPERED AND YOU CAN REPEAT THE SAME IN MY LIFE. AMEN.
Thank you