It is tragic when people do not have basic necessities for survival like clean water, wholesome food, or adequate shelter. Billions of dollars of financial aid and countless volunteer efforts go towards helping those in need near and far. As real the risk is for those who lack, there is also a risk for those who have. It is ironic those who have great abundance also run the greatest risk of forgetting who they need most: God. In the Law of Moses God provided warnings for the wealthy. Having our needs met by God can cause us to be filled with pride and forget God who provides life and all we possess.
Through Moses God warned His people in Deuteronomy 8:10-14, 17-18: "When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you. 11"Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, 12 lest--when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; 13 and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; 14 when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage... 17 then you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.' 18 And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day."
Jesus said it is easier for a camel to pass through an eye of a sewing needle than for a rich man to enter heaven for good reason. Poverty and wealth both have their pitfalls, but wealth can blind even God's people to their fundamental need to rely upon Him for all things. Poverty may lead people in their desperation to theft and degrading employment, but wealth works to lift up man with pride. Pride leads to self-reliance and self-confidence rather than faith in God who gives man power to acquire wealth. Conceit leads to self-deception and to forget about God in daily activities. Wealth makes man a god unto himself, a self-exalted deity to do what he pleases. Lack prompts a man to seek God to supply his needs, but being full makes this need for God less obvious.
Australia is largely a population of "haves" rather than "have nots." This warning to the wealthy is one we ought to take to heart because our natural resources, homes, food, technology, education, and employment have been supplied by the grace of God. He has blessed us so abundantly with peace and prosperity we believe we are entitled to it. Though we are an admittedly secular society God is the gracious source of the peace and all good things we enjoy. Because we generally do not acknowledge God as our Creator and King we are tricked into believing He has no place amongst us. It is God's grace which will one day deprive us of what we view as basic human needs and rights so our eyes in desperation will look to Him again in faith.
Praise the LORD, for what is impossible with men is possible with God! God makes it possible for a wealthy person to fear and trust God even when riches increase. We need not set our hearts or affections on what will not endure but continue to seek the LORD. Our wealth need not be a liability but an asset for God to administer through us for His glory and the good of others. Proverbs 11:25 contains a valuable principle: "The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself." God is generous to us, and the humble soul will not forget it.
Through Moses God warned His people in Deuteronomy 8:10-14, 17-18: "When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you. 11"Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, 12 lest--when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; 13 and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; 14 when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage... 17 then you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.' 18 And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day."
Jesus said it is easier for a camel to pass through an eye of a sewing needle than for a rich man to enter heaven for good reason. Poverty and wealth both have their pitfalls, but wealth can blind even God's people to their fundamental need to rely upon Him for all things. Poverty may lead people in their desperation to theft and degrading employment, but wealth works to lift up man with pride. Pride leads to self-reliance and self-confidence rather than faith in God who gives man power to acquire wealth. Conceit leads to self-deception and to forget about God in daily activities. Wealth makes man a god unto himself, a self-exalted deity to do what he pleases. Lack prompts a man to seek God to supply his needs, but being full makes this need for God less obvious.
Australia is largely a population of "haves" rather than "have nots." This warning to the wealthy is one we ought to take to heart because our natural resources, homes, food, technology, education, and employment have been supplied by the grace of God. He has blessed us so abundantly with peace and prosperity we believe we are entitled to it. Though we are an admittedly secular society God is the gracious source of the peace and all good things we enjoy. Because we generally do not acknowledge God as our Creator and King we are tricked into believing He has no place amongst us. It is God's grace which will one day deprive us of what we view as basic human needs and rights so our eyes in desperation will look to Him again in faith.
Praise the LORD, for what is impossible with men is possible with God! God makes it possible for a wealthy person to fear and trust God even when riches increase. We need not set our hearts or affections on what will not endure but continue to seek the LORD. Our wealth need not be a liability but an asset for God to administer through us for His glory and the good of others. Proverbs 11:25 contains a valuable principle: "The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself." God is generous to us, and the humble soul will not forget it.
No comments:
Post a Comment
To uphold the integrity of this site, no comments with links for advertising will be posted. No ads here! :)