The Flowers of the Field

"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious" (Matthew 6:28-31)


In times of sorrow or distress, we often read from the Sermon on the Mount, and try to console and remind ourselves that we are to be otherworldly, laying up our treasures in heaven and not on earth (Matthew 6:19-20). It is striking how Jesus draws our attention to the effortlessness of God's creation, how perfectly he forms flowers, archetypes of transience, which quickly dissolve back into the elements. Since he has such power and artistry for temporary things, how much more should we trust his power to shape us eternally and prepare us for unending bliss in His perfection.

Flowers are humble things to most people--but Jesus says that Solomon's wardrobe could not compete. Just how great was Solomon's glory? In terms of territorial conquests, not great--just a thin slice of the eastern Mediterranean. In terms of wealth, however, he had no rival. To pay for the building of his palaces and the temple, Solomon paid Hiram in twenty cities, although Hiram did not like the cities. Twenty cities! ( 1 Kings 9:10-11). Every year, Solomon received 666 talents of gold besides what came from "explorers and from the business of the merchants, and from all the kings of the west and from the governors of the land" (1 Kings 10:15). At current gold prices, this would be close to $630,812,456.10 USD. The richest man in the world today only makes a salary of $100,000. And this was only part of Solomon's yearly income. Solomon also had 12,000 horsemen. The current cost of keeping a horse ranges from $2000 to $10,000 a year, depending on circumstances. Since Solomon was probably not cheap with his horses, let us take the higher figure, and say that he spent 120 million dollars a year just on his horses. Solomon also had 1400 chariots, for which he paid 600 shekels of silver a piece. At the current price of silver, the chariots cost him $3,406,695.60. It is no wonder, then, that when the Queen of Sheba visited Solomon, she said: "The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard." (1 Kings 10:6-7). And then she gave him $113,659,902 worth of gold, not to mention costly gems and spices. Astronomical figures in terms of worldly wealth, but nothing in comparison to God's grace and the riches that he gives to us.

Jesus said that a simple flower was much more beautiful than anything Solomon had, and that we Christians are infinitely more valuable to God than can be figured in sums, dollars, weights and measures. The year of our Lord 2009 begins with the black cloud of financial disaster looming over the Earth, but Jesus says that we should not worry: "Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:20-21); "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself" (Matthew 6:33-34). Do not worry what awaits you this year, for you have a year of incalculable riches to win from the benevolent and glorious Father in Heaven, whose Son Jesus died for your sins, and wishes to give you a home in his eternal city.