1 Kings 4:29-34 Wisdom is to Share

1 Kings 4:29-34 (NRSV)

​²⁹God gave Solomon very great wisdom, discernment, and breadth of understanding as vast as the sand on the seashore, ³⁰so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east, and all the wisdom of Egypt. ³¹He was wiser than anyone else, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, children of Mahol; his fame spread throughout all the surrounding nations. ³²He composed three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered a thousand and five. ³³He would speak of trees, from the cedar that is in the Lebanon to the hyssop that grows in the wall; he would speak of animals, and birds, and reptiles, and fish. ³⁴People came from all the nations to hear the wisdom of Solomon; they came from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.

Observation:
When God grants wisdom to Solomon, Solomon puts it to use in a big way! Three thousand proverbs, a thousand and five songs, and countless teachings on animals and plants. Solomon shares what he's got, to make his whole kingdom a wiser place.

Application: This is just an important reminder that any gift, talent or skill God gives us is meant to be shared. I fear that we are in an age where we are devaluing wisdom and expertise, which people pour years of their life into gaining. It should not be so among people of faith. If we know it, we should teach it. If we don't know it, we should receive it as a gift, and learn from it.

Prayer: God, thank you for the gift of wisdom. Help me, like Solomon, to devote my life to sharing it.