The choice of power, wealth and other mundane things of life over the wisdom of God for guidance would lead to downfall and loss of everlasting heavenly joy. The interest of the common good should be a motivating factor for the life of any Christian to be able to gain eternal joy in heaven. The encounter of King Solomon with God in a dream, (1Kings 3:5; 7-12) is a clear indication of the need to know our human limitations and depend on the wisdom of God, in order to succeed in life and have eternal joy in heaven. Solomon showed us that wisdom is the right choice to make. When you have wisdom from God, you will be able to get all the other things and then manage them very well.
Scripture states: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all other things would be added unto you.” Solomon chose wisdom, the presence of the kingdom of God and he got all the other three: wealth, power and pleasure of all sorts. It is the wisdom that God gave him that empowered him with the ability to manage all other areas of his life very well. The name of Solomon is still being called today because he allowed wisdom from God to guide his life and activities. Even when he failed, wisdom gave him the ability to repent.
There is need for Christians to know that no earthly treasure is greater than that of the Kingdom of God, as the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl calls us to examination of our conscience as to what is so valuable that can make us to sell everything we have to acquire it; while the parable on the dragnet sums things up by showing us that our entrance into heaven and being with God forever is determined by our choice of the values that we live by. I therefore urge people in position of power to have the wisdom of Solomon and serve the common good at all times.
My dear brothers and sisters, the message for us today is to ask God for wisdom; seek and search for wisdom from God in the Scriptures, the teachings of the Church and in the lives of the Saints. At the end of your search, you would have found the treasure hidden in the field, you would have found a pearl of great value and so you would be counted among the good by God. When you choose to allow God’s wisdom to guide you, your wealth will not destroy you, the power that you have will not corrupt you and lead you into error and wrong judgment; pleasure will not lead you to condemnation.
• Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins is the Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos.
