Scripture
1 Kings 7:13,14-“Now King Solomon sent and brought Hiram from Tyre. He was a widow’s son from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze; and he was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill for doing any work in bronze."
Observation
Reading about Hiram I can’t help but think about the trend in the NBA to build “super teams”. Gathering the best of the best in hopes to win championship after championship. In order to do so a number of key things need to happen:
- There needs to be an alpha dog. The one who has the vision, the one who inspires, and the one who can basically do it all. In the case of the Lakers, Lebron’s without question the alpha dog, showing the way and leading the way. In the case of King Solomon, he didn’t just sit in the director’s chair and shout out orders. He was active in the task and work. He set the example and definitely led the way.
- There needs to be a specialist. While Lebron can do it all, he’s surrounded by a bunch of guys that specialize in one thing. Need a 3, there’s Wes Matthews, toughness, Markieff Morris. While I believe Solomon could’ve done all the bronze work himself, he saw it fit to call upon the best. Hiram was FILLED WITH WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING AND SKILL FOR DOING ANY WORK IN BRONZE. Instead of doing a good job himself, Solomon called upon the best because God was deserving.
- This leads to my last point. A good team is led by a wise and skilled leader...a great team is led by a humble one. If there’s one continued knock on Lebron’s game is that he passes up the big shot, instead opting to pass to whoever has the best shot. Again, Solomon probably could’ve finished the work himself but instead, choose to seek out the best and to labor alongside him. His humility to accurately assess his abilities against the skill of Hiram’s resulted in glory and beauty like the world had not yet seen. When losing in Cleveland for years Lebron decided enough is enough...he called his friends who also happened to be 2 of the best in the game...and then joined up. The result? NBA Championship. Solomon called on Hiram, the best of the best. The result? Mission accomplished. Glory to God.
Application
The example of Solomon is applied when we take a look at a few of our New Hope Core Values:
New Hope Core Value #6) We Believe that God is worthy of our very best. It starts here. If I believe that God gets our very best, then I keep myself and my skills sharp in order to do so. I also keep an honest record of my abilities and humbly seek help when necessary. Lift others up, elevate others’ platform, expand others’ world, God gets all the glory.
New Hope Core Value #5) We Believe that every member is a minister who has been given gifts to be discovered, developed, and deployed. We have a team with many skills giftings, and the only way to achieve true effectiveness as a ministry is to identify each skill/spiritual gift and ensure that we are acting in them. If someone’s gift is giving, give them opportunities to give.
New Hope Core Value #8) We Believe that the most effective evangelism happens through people inviting people. I had a very specific skill set. I was invited. And my life was never the same again. God can do mighty things when a simple invitation is given to join in. We need to do more inviting which allows God to do more life-changing.
When the excellence of my gifts are joined by the excellent gifts of others great things happen and God gets all the glorify. My lights not dimmed by other’s lights shining...God’s light just gets brighter.
Prayer
Jesus, may I apply and thrive off the incredible example of Solomon’s life. Desiring wisdom and discernment over fortune and fame. I humble my ambition before You and align my heart and to match Your will. Thank you for the incredible people and leaders in my life who inspire and encourage me.
