Will Your Legacy Leave a Memorial to the Lord?

David had so longed to build a temple for the Lord--a place where God could be worshipped. David was unable to build his vision, but his son Solomon took up the cause with just as much passion and enthusiasm. He wanted to please God and honor his father.

When Solomon set out to build this dwelling place for the Lord he first contacted an old friend of his father's--King Hiram. Solomon realized that although he had the riches to accomplish what he needed to accomplish on his own, he stood to gain more personally and for the Lord by inviting others to help him. Including a friend of his father's, sealed the bond between those nations and forged a treaty for peace.

As a result of Solomon's drive to build a house for the Lord, other people began to celebrate and honor the Lord with him. Other leaders sent him resources to help him accomplish his goal. When we strive to build the Kingdom, God WILL send resources and grant favor with people to assist us.

When you read the text in 1 Kings chapters 5 & 6 you see Solomon's great wisdom. Solomon was genuine and selfless. He wasn't a taker. He was a thinker. He recognized that King Hiram had resources that could help him accomplish his goals so he offered to pay King Hiram's workers and he also complimented their expertise and offered his own servants. He didn't try to use this king by playing on their relationship nor did he try to exclude others and do everything on his own in an attempt to keep all the glory. He acknowledged that others had talents and skills. In the end Solomon got what he wanted--to build a memorial to the Lord. He made friends, made peace, and didn't have to struggle or use up his own resources in the process and guess what? He wound up with the glory anyway! He didn't have to take it or bully others to get it.

Every moment of everyday we are producing a legacy for others to remember when we are gone. We remember King Solomon as wise, rich and great. How will people remember us? Will they see that we lived our lives as a memorial to the Lord? Or will they see that we spent our time in selfish blindness and confusion never really experiencing God's true purpose for our lives? As long as we have breath it isn't too late to turn to God, acknowledge Him. Seek to please Him and leave a legacy that honors Him.