Seeking success Wealth Achievement Recognition

Queen of Sheba (modern Yemen) 1200 miles

Solomon’s famous wisdom/Intelligence 1 Kings 4:29-34 – God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.30 Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt…. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations… 33 He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. 34 From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.

How honor and praise works in God’s world God is great and deserves all honor Me seeking honor Me – Competing with God God humbles me God can give me honor Me seeking for God to be honored Me – Submitting to God How honor and praise works in God’s world

God gives honor as he wants 1 Kings 3:13 – Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor – so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. Psalm 84:11 – The Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Focus on godliness; trust God about honor Proverbs 3:3-4 – Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 21:21 – Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. Proverbs 27:2 – Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips. Proverbs 22:1 – A good name is more desirable than riches.

Humbling ourselves Like Christ Philippians 2:5-9 – Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name…

Refocusing on God’s approval  1 Corinthians 4:3-5 – I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself 4…. It is the Lord who judges me.5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.