Solomon's SecretsSample

THE END IN SIGHT

When you listen to any life coach or motivational speaker, the importance of a vision or end goal will definitely feature at some point during the talk. In fact, they may not even move to the second slide of their well-designed presentation unless convinced that you will never forget it. You are likely to hear sayings like this one more than once during the talk: “If you want the things you look at to change, change the things you look at.”

It seems that King Solomon’s second secret to great wisdom may have been the foundation of contemporary life coaching. When Solomon was offered the chance to request anything he wanted from God, he knew that he needed to choose his end goal wisely. Again, it seems like he already had some wisdom before he even chose his gift.

King Solomon knew that attractive options like wealth, a long life, or the death of his enemies would not bring long-term peace and prosperity to his people (1 Kings 3:11). Instead, he chose the ability to discern right from wrong (v. 9). Isn’t it genius? King Solomon was able to recognize the one path that would lead to all the best outcomes. Governing his nation justly would bring about other desirable results by itself.

In the New Testament, Jesus also urges us to choose the best outcomes as King Solomon did. Many earthly rewards turn out to be disappointing in the long run. But when we keep our eyes on heavenly values, we stand a good chance to get great results along the way. “Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (Matthew 6:20-21, NLT).

Where are you headed at the moment? Are you sure that your life goals will bring the best long-term outcomes? Do you think that you may end up disappointed by the goals you are chasing at the moment?

Let us consider our end goals carefully. Let us make the best choices to ensure that we keep our eyes on heavenly rewards. In such wisdom, we will find treasures that last forever. “All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize” (1 Corinthians 9:25, NLT).

“Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit” (Proverbs 23:4, NLT).