In a recent article we looked at the great wisdom and fame of king Solomon, the author of most of the Book of Proverbs. We remember him for his fabulous wealth, his popularity among the ancient world’s leaders, and for his pledges of faithfulness to God. Yet in the pages of the Bible he died a disgraced man.

In his elderly years he stocked his harem with an amazing number of foreign wives. He became a womanizer. 1 Kings 11 tells us that his wives were idolaters and Solomon accommodated their beliefs by building shrines where they could worship. He compromised. But it also seems that the king became comfortable with all his wealth. Chapter 10 describes the precious objects he owned, his palace and its splendor. His wives and his wealth took his heart away from following God.

There’s a tendency in north America these days, in all our relative wealth, to become too comfortable. Many people surround themselves with costly things, the best quality that can be found, and connect their homes with every convenience and form of entertainment. They enjoy their wealth and often become insulated from the hardships of other people. Unwilling to lose any of it, they determine to protect it at all costs. But worst of all, like Solomon, their hearts turn away from God through compromise and weakening conviction.

Perhaps it’s hard for us to identify with someone as wealthy as Solomon. Nonetheless, we all seek to have comfortable surroundings – and there’s nothing wrong with that. Harm comes when we let comfort keep us from our responsibilities to God.

Don’t let comfort cost you.

– Tim Johnson