And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her. Then she said to the king: “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. However, I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard. Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness.” (1 Kings 10:4-9)
How We serve GOD.
The queen of Sheba recognized how Solomon served God. “his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD” His commitment and loyalty to God was thus visible, and evident not hidden. What about the entryway was special? Maybe the fact that it was close to his Manor, Workplace? The entryway was closely accessible and clearly, the pathway indicated frequent use. When leaders and business owners serve God it should be visibly evident in everything they do. “Therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness.” Justice and righteousness cannot be hidden, it is evident in everything you do, the way you do transactions, conduct meetings, discipline workers, determine prices, negotiate deals.
How we Serve our CUSTOMERS.
“the food on his table” what made the food different? Was it the taste, presentation, abundance, opulence, variety? Something stood out. It was noticeably different, of high standard and quality. We honour customers by treating them like kings and queens. We give them special treatment. We make them feel special.
How we Serve our STAFF.
“the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers” This little descriptive sentence is very interesting. What about the way he treated his servants, his staff was distinctively different? Their seating, apparel and their service. For servants service to be notably different, means they were alive, connected, happy, friendly, conscientious. Opposed to being dull, robot-like, and disconnected. Their seating was different? What about it? Well, servants never sit. They certainly do not sit with Kings and Queens. Solomon must have had a seating arrangement for his servants to be included in the proceedings. He thus treated his servants like kings and queens too.
What Kind of PRODUCT we Produce.
“And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon…” She did not hear his wisdom yet, she saw his wisdom in what he created with it. The house that he had built, the food on his table… Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings. (Prov 22:29) Work done in the Spirit and in union with God is worship and glorifies God. Work can be done in the Spirit, for daily labour is not ungodly, secular, or sinful. (Exo 31:3,5; 35:31) Work is part of our creational purpose, subdue, and multiply. (Gen 1:28) When we work by the Spirit it will not be laborious, it will be innovative, precise and intentional. In the Spirit, you will be able to focus and accomplish. Your work will be a blessing! Your work will be a sermon, an extension of His grace and character in you. You work will reveal God, the same way His creation reveals Him. Your work will be excellent, and spectacular, rich in precise detail, order and creative. Believers being in the spirit has done many new inventions. Work in the spirit makes this world better because it resonates heaven! (Mat 6:10)
What Kind of LEGACY we Leave.
God is seeking fruit that will endure. Fruit today are produced for the consumer’s eyes, not their stomach. Jesus calls for fruit that remains. (John 15:16) Anyone can produce fruit that looks great externally, but can it remain? Does it have any true nutritional value? who’s work will endure (1 Cor 3:12-15) Many businesses only want to make a quick profit, God wants us to leave an after-taste, a residue, and legacy that will make people remember the experience. “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom” Solomon’s fame, and reputation was talking about, the news spread. He was doing thing differently. Even centuries later, his wisdom poems and principles are studied in the book of proverbs. Believing followers of Christ leaves good behind.
