In reading of how very blessed King David was, and then his son Solomon after him, I am amazed by how God makes so much of mere human beings. He pours out on them undeserved grace and blessings. The blessing Solomon has been known and admired the most for is wisdom, but The Bible makes it clear that this wisdom is not his own.
"And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt." I Kings 4:29-30 ESV
God gave Solomon this great wisdom, which he could have used for self-glorification and fame. His wisdom certainly did bring him fame, as people from everywhere came to hear him speak and have him settle disputes, but instead of accepting that as an appropriate ends, he seeks to build a house for God. God blesses Solomon with great wealth, power, admirers, and wisdom, and Solomon does not glory in the blessings, but rather seeks to glory in God as he recognizes, "now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune. And so I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord said to David my father, 'Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.'" I Kings 5:4-5 ESV
If we are truly seeking wisdom from God, to know and follow in his ways, "If you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:4-5 ESV
God promises wisdom to those who seek it to honor him, but it can get so spoiled! Instead of using it for God's glory and instead of it turning our hearts to worship, we can fall into the trap of believing we have superior knowledge. I have fallen into this trap in group discussions or even in speaking with someone else. If I feel that what I have to say is greatly wise and worth saying, then I will speak before listening. That is, there may be someone else in the room that God has chosen to say that very thing through, and I just stole that opportunity from them.
If the goal of wisdom, which is from God, is to glorify God, then there is no room for ego-stroking. If we are using it to make others admire us or to make ourselves feel that we are worth something, then we are abusing a gift from God and idolizing a blessing instead of giving worship where it is due.
So why are we not, as a body of believers, building temples to God? I don't mean literally, though that would be nice, but in our hearts, in the core of our being, are we focused on building a house for God, making His name great, or are we focused on building our own palace and waiting for others to pay tribute?
Practically, four ways you can give God glory through wisdom(this is a challenge to myself as well)
1) Allow God to speak words of wisdom through you, even if you have heard them before, through those around you and give Him thanks each time He does so.
2) When you speak something that is wise or others acknowledge as wise or moving, give God thanks and don't take the credit...point others to God
3) Always seek wisdom at the feet of God-admit to Him daily that you are a fool, because you are (I am too, for that matter) and thank Him for the grace He gives you through wisdom
4) Spend time praising God for His wisdom and His ways
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