Daily Devotional | Queen of Sheba: Boundless Riches

It’s impossible to know what King Solomon would be worth by current standards. Some estimate his wealth as equivalent to $100 billion to $2 trillion in today’s economy. Solomon was famous not just for his riches but even more importantly, for his wisdom.

The Queen of Sheba heard about Solomon from as far away as southern Arabia. She ruled over all of the trade routes between India, east Africa, and the Mediterranean, so she had an enormous fortune of her own. However, the accounts she received of Solomon motivated her to see for herself. She assembled a magnificent caravan of camels, spices, and gold, and traveled at least 1,500 miles to verify the reports.

She wanted to test Solomon’s wisdom and his devotion to God, as much as see his fortune. And Solomon far exceeded her expectations in every way. What is perhaps most interesting about this royal visit was the honor and praise that the Queen of Sheba offered to the Lord. She recognized that God alone could establish such a bountiful kingdom and such a great king.

In Matthew 12:42, Jesus referenced this royal exchange when speaking to the scribes and the Pharisees. They had seen Jesus perform miracles, call disciples, and teach the people. Yet they asked for a sign (Matt. 12:38). In response, Jesus called them an “evil and adulterous generation.” He warned them that the men of Nineveh would condemn them at the judgment because they had repented when Jonah preached. The Pharisees had someone greater than Jonah in their midst.

Similarly, Jesus said, the Queen of Sheba would condemn them at the judgment because she traveled from the ends of the earth just to hear Solomon’s wisdom. The Pharisees had someone greater than Solomon right in front of them.

>> We have been given God’s Word and the opportunity to experience the “boundless riches” of salvation. We are blessed beyond measure! If you do not know Jesus as your Savior, won’t you turn to Him today?

Pray with Us

Lord, You are ruler of all. We don’t want to rebel against You any more. Forgive us for our sins and accept us as Your children, so that we may serve You on earth and rejoice with You in eternity.

BY Kelli Worrall

Kelli Worrall is Professor of Communications and Chair of the Division of Music and Media Arts at Moody Bible Institute. She is the author of several books, including Pierced and Embraced: 7 Life-Changing Encounters with the Love of Christ. Kelli studied at Cedarville University (BA), Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (MRE), and Roosevelt University (MFA). Kelli and her husband, Peter, are parents of two children through adoption and enjoy decorating their Craftsman house.