Building Project

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.