A Better Half Untold

The Queen’s Faithful and Generous Response

The Bible tells us in 1 Kings 10 that when the Queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship with the Lord, she did not sit back. She knew it was an established tradition that no one approaches a king empty-handed. Understanding this royal protocol, she organized a very great caravan loaded with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones, and traveled all the way from the ends of the earth to Jerusalem.

This was a meeting of two wealthy and powerful individuals. Solomon was the richest king of his time, estimated to be worth over 2 trillion dollars in today’s value. Yet the Queen did not come empty-handed. She brought extravagant gifts, not to impress the king, but as a standard procedure to show respect and honor according to the established tradition when approaching royalty.

Upon arrival, she spoke with Solomon about everything on her mind. She held nothing back. Solomon answered all her questions. Nothing was too hard for him to explain. At the end of her visit, the Queen was overwhelmed and declared:

“The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me. In wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard.” (1 Kings 10:6-7)

Something Greater Than Solomon Is Here

Jesus referenced this same Queen in Matthew 12:42, saying, “The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.”

Pastor Namokwa explained that the Queen of Sheba will condemn this generation in several powerful ways. First, someone greater than Solomon is here, Jesus Christ Himself, yet many do not respond to Him with the same faith and urgency. The Queen acted on mere rumors from traders who were never sent as messengers. No official preacher was commissioned to go and tell her about Solomon’s wisdom. Yet when she heard the reports, she responded with radical faith and action.

In contrast, today Jesus has commissioned preachers to proclaim His greatness across the world. The Gospel is preached openly, miracles are witnessed, and the Bible is available to many. Still, people are slow to respond. Even those who come to Christ often do so half-heartedly. They leave some issues hidden in their hearts instead of emptying themselves completely before Him. They approach the King of kings with no reverence and empty-handed, unlike the Queen who prepared generously and held nothing back.

This pagan queen will rise on Judgment Day as a witness because her response to a mortal king far exceeded the response of many believers to the King of kings.

Living on Rumors vs Experiencing the Reality

Many Christians today are comfortable living on second-hand rumors about stewardship. “If you return your tithes faithfully, God will protect your farm even when pests destroy others. Your children will excel in school. Your job will be secure even during layoffs.”

While these testimonies are powerful, the sermon challenged the church: Stop settling for rumors!

The Queen of Sheba refused to live on traders’ tales. She rose, prepared, sought, and experienced the reality for herself. In the same way, we are invited to move beyond hearing about stewardship to actually walking in it.

Pastor Namokwa pointed out that even the best preachers may not do a perfect job when preaching on stewardship. In fact, it is impossible for any preacher to cover every question and every detail listeners may have. Even if we lined up all the greatest preachers in the world, there will always be a better half untold. That deeper dimension of God’s blessing, protection, peace, and breakthroughs can only be experienced when we walk the talk, when we step out in radical obedience and faithful stewardship.

Pastor Namokwa concluded powerfully: “When you walk in these truths like the Queen of Sheba did, you will one day stand and testify, ‘Everything I heard from the preachers was true, but what I have encountered is far greater. Not even half was told me!’”

An Urgent Call to Radical Stewardship

This sermon is about honoring Jesus with our best resources, our full hearts, and our complete trust.

Will we rise like the Queen of Sheba? Or will she stand on Judgment Day as a witness against us?

The challenge is clear: Move from rumors to reality. Honor the King. Release your best. Experience the untold half that awaits every faithful steward.

Share this article with friends and family. Let it stir faith and action in your heart.