We have many expressions which describe a person who has been advantaged from birth:
“He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth” or, “He was born on third base and
thought he hit a triple.” The lyrics from “Summertime” pretty much sum it up when
they say “Your Daddy’s rich and your Momma’s good lookin’. So hush, little baby.
Don’t you cry.” As Believers, our Daddy’s rich...very rich. And as His children
and fellow heirs with Christ we may be tempted to think that somehow we had a part
in bringing this about when in fact it is His sovereign doing alone.
As the Children of Israel were preparing to enter the promised land Moses recounted
to them the events of the past 40 years and gave them this warning:
You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this
wealth for me. But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability
to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers,
as it is today.” (Deut 8:17-18)
Moses knew it was essential for the Israelites to remember that it was God who had
provided everything as they wandered in the wilderness and everything they would
inherit in Canaan. And what was true for Israel in the past is also true for us
today and in the future. Jesus said “I go to prepare a place for you.”
Prosperity can cause one to forget God. Trust can be replaced by lust. Contentment
by greed. Is it just a coincidence that the industrialized Western Nations are sliding
into secular materialism while the Gospel is thriving in impoverished parts of the
world?
“Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me
with the food that is my portion, That I not be full and deny You and say, ‘Who
is the LORD?’ Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God.”
(Prov 30:8-9)
All wealth comes from God and we are only stewards, not owners of it. That is why
David acknowledged that, regarding his contribution to the building of the Temple,
he had only given out of God’s hand. God is blessing Calvary Bible Church at this
time and prosperity can be dangerous. “Is this not Babylon the great which I have
built?” asked Nebuchadnezzar.And just as God disciplined Nebuchadnezzar when he
got too big for his britches so He will discipline us if we fall into the same trap.
Let us continue to be humble and generous and remember that all that we have comes
from Him.