Isn’t it strange that the more God blesses us the greater the chance of our falling away from Him? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve witnessed this in my life time. When things are difficult, we tend to hang onto God, but then when our life improves or even better, flourishes, we forget all about God.

So, if I wanted someone to fall away from God, I’d pray that God will give him riches and comfort. Those riches and comforts do a far better job of leading our heart away from God than hardships and difficulties.

God blessed king Solomon like no other man on earth. You should read the descriptions of how lavish his riches were in 1 King 10. Gold was so abundant that silver was seen as nothing in his days. And not only did he have riches, but he also had wisdom. He was so smart and knowledgeable that other kings and queens came just to ask him questions!

With such great blessings, you’d think he’d thank God and stay by Him forever. But he doesn’t. His heart is led astray by the very riches he had (namely women). And he starts worshipping other gods….

The only redeeming fact about him was that he was related to David, his father. God says “for the sake of David my servant”, he will not utterly destroy him. (1 Kg 11:34)

Two lessons: 1) Do not wish for or pray for riches. “Give me neither riches nor poverty” (Prov. 30:8). 2) If God does give you success and riches, be rightly related to Jesus. It if for Jesus’ sake that we are not destroyed.

PH