How can we avoid saying, "My power...has gained this wealth for me"? Setting the Scene in Deuteronomy Deuteronomy 8 records Moses reminding Israel of forty years in the wilderness, where every need was met by the hand of God. Verse 17 pinpoints the danger once they enter a land flowing with abundance: “You may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have gained this wealth for me.’ ” (Deuteronomy 8:17) The warning is timeless because the human heart still drifts toward self-congratulation when life is comfortable. The Heart Issue: Pride vs. Dependence • Pride proclaims personal achievement and crowds God out • Dependence confesses that every breath, skill, and opportunity is a divine gift • God’s purpose in blessing remains covenantal, not merely material: “Remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18) Practical Ways to Keep God at the Center • Begin each day acknowledging His ownership: “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1) • Verbally credit Him whenever success is noticed or praised • Schedule regular review of financial statements alongside prayer, consciously tracing every increase back to the Lord • Celebrate milestones with thanksgiving rather than self-exaltation Cultivating a Lifestyle of Gratitude • Maintain a gratitude journal that lists specific provisions—employment, health, ideas, contacts, contracts • Share testimonies of God’s provision with family and friends • Memorize James 1:17: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” Stewardship over Ownership • Recognize that wealth is a trust, not a trophy (Luke 16:10–12) • Budget with generosity in mind first, not last (Proverbs 3:9-10) • Hold plans with open hands, ready for God to redirect Walking in Humility Before the Lord • Fast periodically to remind the body and soul of total reliance (Matthew 4:4) • Welcome correction from fellow believers when pride surfaces (Proverbs 27:6) • Recall 1 Corinthians 4:7: “What do you have that you did not receive” The Role of Generosity • Give proportionately and cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:6-8) • Seek anonymous ways to bless others so the flesh finds no platform for boasting (Matthew 6:3-4) • Invest in Gospel work that outlasts earthly treasure (Matthew 6:19-21) Scripture Meditation and Memory Regular recitation lets truth reshape instinct until the heart reflexively declares, “The LORD, not my power, has done this.” |
    |