🙌It's the Friday Call to Worship!🙌

A poor subject asked Alexander the Great for a small financial gift. Alexander gave him a large city. When the poor benefactor insisted the gift too great, Alexander responded, “The business is not what thou are fit to receive, but what it becometh me to give.”

I read this account in a Biblical commentary, paralleling the extravagant gift to God’s lavish supply of wisdom for those who ask. (James 1:5.) Upon further investigation, I learned Alexander the Great most often gave for self-glorification. The large gifts were cruel burdens for those not equipped to bear the responsibility.

Around 332 BC, Alexander the Great conquered Persian King Darius III. Alexander searched for a new, trustworthy king for the wealthy city of Sidon from the city’s royal bloodline. Abdalonymus, a humble kitchen gardener, was the only honest heir to be found. He was literally picked up out of the dirt and brought before Alexander, who questioned his poverty. Abdalonymus replied, “Would to heaven I may as well bear my prosperity! These hands have ministered to all my necessities, and as I possessed nothing, I wanted nothing.” Alexander was deeply moved and crowned him king of Sidon. Abdalonymus reigned peacefully and successfully. I think there’s a better wisdom teaching in this story.

“Who is wise…? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in humility… For where you have envy and selfish ambition, you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is… pure; peace-loving… full of mercy and good fruit… Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:13-18)

Alexander the Great had almost everything yet was insatiable. Abdalonymus had what the conqueror could not attain: perfect peace.

I don’t know how Abdalonymus landed in the garden rather than the palace, but he was the only one counted trustworthy. His endurance gave the gift that weathers every season: perfect peace. It’s easiest to find on our knees, doing the dirty work of enduring. Let’s thank God for that.

Listen to Jamie MacDonald’s “Who He Is”.