THE EXTRAVAGANCE

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 1-4

I'm reading this morning about the elaborate Temple Solomon built for the Lord.

Over 150,000 workmen. Forests-full of trees. Ton after ton of gold.

All for this purpose...

"...to honor the name of the Lord my God. It will be a place set apart to burn incense and sweet spices before him, to display the special sacrificial bread, and to sacrifice burnt offerings each morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, at new moon celebrations, and at the other appointed festivals of the Lord our God..." 2 Chronicles 2:4 NLT

Not to honor himself.

Not to leave a fine monument to his greatness.

Not to display his greatness, his riches or his abilities.

Solomon chose to extravagantly honor the Lord.

He chose to build a place where incense was burned to worship, sacrifices were made, times set apart as His.

The effort Solomon went to and the great lengths he went to convict me.

My own efforts to build, in my own life, a place worthy of God pale in comparison.

While God is not asking me to worship Him as Solomon did, He is requesting that my life be a testament to my love for Him.

What am I building?

What am I using for His glory?

How am I honoring Him with my life?