Strong Faith and Fine Print: Solomon's Keys to Success

Sermon outline

Godly wisdom and understanding were the main vein feeding Solomon's success, shown in his strong faith in God's promises and in his clear, detailed and fair agreements with people and with God.

1. Wisdom is the principal thing

   Knowledge is important, which is why we go to school and university, but wisdom teaches you how to apply knowledge; many people have knowledge and still fail. Wisdom is not a suggestion, it is the principal thing. Prize her and she will promote you and bring you honour, so you don't have to fight for honour.

   “Godly wisdom or wisdom is a realm higher than knowledge.”

   • Proverbs 4:1-13

2. Be teachable and get counsel

   A man diligent and skilful in his business will stand before kings. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed, because God has gifted people with expertise in different fields. Wisdom is better than gold, and wisdom and understanding are what made Solomon successful and wealthy.

   “The ultimate key is to be teachable, to have a teachable spirit.”

   • Proverbs 22:29
   • Proverbs 15:22
   • Proverbs 16:16

3. Kinds of faith: plot where you are

   Faith is not all one thing. There is common faith, weak faith, strong faith, little or wavering faith, great faith, and unfeigned faith that has no hypocrisy, sham or counterfeit. Temporary faith springs up like a mushroom but fails under testing because the soil is shallow, so people get offended and give up. He asks everyone to examine themselves and see where they fall, so they know their next step.

   “It's not for me to tell you where you are. It's for you to examine your own life and see where you fall.”

   • Titus 1:4
   • 1 Timothy 1:5
   • Matthew 13:20-21

4. Be fully persuaded: stagger not at the promises

   Abraham did not waver through unbelief but was strengthened in faith and fully persuaded that God could do what He promised. Watching the news long enough can make you waver, just as the enemy raised questions in Eden. Circumstances do not dictate your belief: God will restore what was eaten, and He has promised never to leave you.

   “Governments will fail, countries will fail, economies will fail, the banks will fail, education systems will fail, people around us will fail, but God will never fail.”

   • Romans 4:20-25
   • Romans 8:31
   • Genesis 3:1
   • Joel 2:25
   • Hebrews 13:5
   • Matthew 28:20

5. Act on the Word and little faith will grow

   Historical faith believes the record of God's dealings with man; mental faith believes every part of the Bible but does not act on it. If we truly believed God would provide and rebuke the devourer, we would not argue about tithing, we would tithe. Act on the faith you have, such as praying for an enemy or loving someone hard to love, and it becomes easier and grows. Solomon had strong faith: he asked for wisdom, gave a thousand offerings, and God gave him wisdom and wealth.

   Illustration: Everything was difficult at first: crawling, walking, writing, your first job and university. Then it became easier and you conquered it, and the faith life is the same.

   “Act on little faith, then little faith will grow to strong faith.”

   • Matthew 5:44
   • 1 Kings 3:4-13

6. Solomon insisted on detailed contracts

   Read the fine print, and don't sign to put yourself in debt for someone else, which is like a rope around your neck. Solomon understood covenant and made precise, well-understood agreements with people and with God. Be specific in prayer as well, because God is a specific God, as the measurements of the ark and the temple show.

   Illustration: People pray for hours and can't say what they prayed for: if you don't know, how would God know? Write down a specific need and date, sign it, keep it in your prayer book and thank God each time you pray. He also says he repeats himself on purpose so as not to assume people understand.

   “So always read the fine print.”

   • 1 Corinthians 13:9

7. Five keys to Solomon's success with contracts

   Solomon was detailed in his expectations, in who he would hire, in the compensation others could expect, and in payment schedules, and his contracts were always win-win for all parties. Be fair, because you reap what you sow: if you want respect and kindness, sow them. The children of this world are often wiser than God's children because they apply the principles in this book.

   Illustration: The storm arose because of Jonah and ceased when he was thrown overboard.

   “The wrong person in your boat will sink the boat.”

   • Jonah 1:12-15
   • Galatians 6:7
   • Luke 16:8

8. Four warnings before signing a contract

   Hire an independent, competent lawyer to analyse the details, especially for something big. Consider every conceivable consequence. Never agree to anything someone is unwilling to write down. And beware the weapon of hospitality: people may use tea and cake as a screen to get information from you, so don't become too familiar.

   “Beware of the weapon of hospitality.”

9. A prophetic word: encourage yourself in the Lord

   As David encouraged himself in the Lord, they must rise above discouragement and cast it off like a tattered garment. The word says discouragement came from the enemy and from relying on their own reasoning and effort; they must turn to God, forget the past and look to Him, and He will give wisdom, the gift of faith and victory.

   “This is a new day beginning for you.”

   • 1 Samuel 30:6
   • Matthew 6:34
   • Zechariah 4:6
   • Romans 10:14