1 Kings: How To Be Prosperous

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Saturday, April 09, 2016
Chapters: 1 Kings 4-6
Message: 1 Kings: How To Be Prosperous

Hello My Friend,

Prosperity, Advance or gain in any thing good or desirable. Everyone of us has a desire to be prosperous in the things we do, while a few people use wicked means to become prosperous, most of us, saved or not, use hard work and dedication to get there. When hard work and dedication are getting you no where that is when we need to take a step back and evaluate the situation. Is Jesus a part of the plan? Have you asked God what should be done? Are you serving God while you are working? The key to becoming prosperous is not in how much we know, it is who we serve while we are working. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” - Psalms 1:1-3.

Prosperity is more than just about money and possessions, it is about gaining in anything that is good or desired. Solomon had a lot of advances given to him when he became king, he was promised peace in the land while he was king, inherited all his fathers fotunes, was given great wisdom, and was to be the first and only king to build a house for God. The one thing David stressed more than anything for him to remain prosperous was to have a strong relationship with God. We see how quickly Solomon prospered under the hand of God.

“And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life. And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl. For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him. And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon. And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing.” - 1 Kings 4:21-27.

“they lacked nothing.” When we serve God in what we do we lack nothing, sometimes famines come and we do not have as much as we would like, but God always provides. As much as we would like to be comfortable and secure in our human capabilities things happen and we are often left to turn to God for our provisions. Let me tell you, you learn some amazing things when you have to depend on God for everything, most of all you learn that you never lack anything. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19.

Jesus said, and I am paraphrasing, put first the Kingdom of God and everything else will be added. We can become prosperous as Christians, in fact, faithful, God fearing, born again Christians, are some of the most successful people around, including senators, governors, and past presidents. Prosperity always begins at the source of all prosperity, God, if we put Him first, everything else will be added. In the third year of Solomon’s reign he began to put things in order for the temple to be built, receiving help from people all over the world, including a great craftsman in wood, Hiram.

“And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people. And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir. My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household. So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire. And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year. And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.” - 1 Kings 5:7-12.

“and they two made a league together.” Prosperity does not always come in the form of doing things with me, myself, and I, it often comes by others coming together to help us. Let me tell you from experience that you cannot prosper trying to do everything yourself, it takes an effort by many hands. No business is a success by one person, it takes a team, sometimes we have to search out for the best to be a part of the team, but once we do we will have success because God will be with us in the midst of it all. “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” - Matthew 18:19,20.

Now, once the plan is made and the necessary people are on board the next thing to do is execute the plan. In the fourth year of Solomon’s reign the building of the temple began, first by laying the foundation. God gives Solomon a word of advice as all the pieces come together.

“And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD. And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying, Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father: And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel. So Solomon built the house, and finished it. In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif: And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it.” - 1 Kings 6:1,11-14,37,38.

“then will I perform my word with thee,” You see, God promises us many things, but they are dependent upon our being faithful to Him. As much as we want to prosper in all that we do we must first have a strong foundation, and that is Christ, the second thing we must do is seek God and the help of others, and last, we must be faithful to God. Keep in mind that everything happens in God’s time, so, if you are doing all these things along with your hard work and dedication leave the rest is up to God, if He wants you to have it you will have it. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” - 1 Corinthians 3:11-15.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the wisdom which God gave Solomon. We receive our wisdom through the Holy Spirit who lives inside all believers. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” - Colossians 3:16.

Today's Prayer: God, It is Your joy that You see Your children prosperous in all that they do, espeically when they are faithful to You. Lord, I do not want to be prosperous in anything unless it is led and approved by You. Lead me and guide me, give me wisdom and understanding, help me know Your will for me. As I come to know Your will, give me the skills, talents, and people I need to execute Your task for me, let me not even start on my project unless I have Christ laid down first. And let me never forget all that You have done for me, I have never lacked when I put my faith and trust in You. You deserve praise and glory for all that I am and have. I love and thank You God, and ask these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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