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Ron Writes

It has been estimated that King Solomon’s net worth was $2.1 trillion. That would make him the richest person to ever live. It is staggering to think of that much wealth. John D. Rockefeller comes in at a distant second with only $663.4 billion. The Bible says “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 was of silver; it was not considered valuable in the days of Solomon” (1 Kgs 10:21). Wealth poured into Solomon’s treasury.

As the wealthiest man to have ever walked the face of the earth, I’ve often wondered – did Solomon ever know the joy of indoor plumbing? I wonder if Solomon ever took a hot shower. Oh, I realize the extreme extravagance that so much wealth could have bought him. He could have hot baths surrounded by his wives and concubines. However, the simplicity of turning the facet and having hot water spraying out – that would be extreme extravagance to anyone living even just two hundred years ago.

Jesus encouraged us to look at the simple things of life and realize just how rich we are: “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these” (Mt. 6:28-29). Paul writes “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content” (1 Tim. 6:8).

A preacher friend of mine posted:

   18% of the world’s population are directly affected by rising gas prices –
         they own a vehicle

    82% of the world’s population are not directly affected by rising gas prices –         they don’t own a vehicle

   100% have a reason to be happy and 100% have a reason to complain
         Choose gratitude

“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:18).