DCLM Daily Manna 2025: DCLM Daily Manna 13 October 2025: Distracted By Riches
Text: 1 Kings 10:14-29 (KJV)
Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold,
15 Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.
16 And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of gold went to one target.
17 And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pound of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.
18 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold.
19 The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.
20 And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom.
21 And all king Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
22 For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
23 So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.
24 And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
25 And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
26 And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.
27 And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycomore trees that are in the vale, for abundance.
28 And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king’s merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
29 And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring them out by their means.
KEY VERSE: “So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom. And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.” – (1 Kings 10:23,24).
It is in the nature of God to keep His word. When He makes a promise, He will certainly fulfil it. In the case of His promise to King Solomon, God made him the wisest and wealthiest king of his era. He enabled him to amass fabulous gold revenue and other valuable items by trade, taxation, and tributes from nations far and near. However, the consequences can be severe when a person, like Solomon, takes God’s faithfulness for granted and deviates from His set path.
God prohibited Israel’s kings from accumulating wealth or multiplying horses (Deuteronomy 17:16,17). But Solomon broke all the rules; thereby, sowing the seed of his downfall. His abundant wealth and fame resulted in more flagrant disobedience to God’s law, the very reason God discouraged the compulsive acquisition of wealth.
There is nothing intrinsically wrong with riches, but the prohibition was given because riches are deceitful and can distract even the wisest of men if they are not watchful. Often, wealth makes people complacent, self-indulgent, proud, and insensitive to heavenly realities. But if well managed, people can use wealth to glorify God by promoting the gospel and impacting the lives of others. It is on account of this that rich people are commanded not to be high-minded or trust in uncertain riches but “That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute… that they may lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:18,19).
As you reflect on Solomon’s stupendous wealth, do well to heed Christ’s warning not to lay up treasures for yourself on earth but in heaven. Treasures laid up on earth are transient, insecure, and distracting. Consider also what Jesus said: even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like the lilies (Matthew 6:29). What an ironic and sobering thought on the actual value of earthly wealth.
If, peradventure, you are tempted to spend your life pursuing wealth and luxury, remember that Solomon left all his riches behind when he died. Therefore, be wise and rich toward God.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Those who invest in eternal treasures earn dividends in time and eternity.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 30-33
Daily Manna 13 October 2025
