Definition and Overview:
False confidence in outward resources refers to the misplaced trust and reliance on material wealth, human strength, or worldly means rather than on God. This concept is frequently addressed in the Bible, where believers are cautioned against placing their faith in anything other than the Lord. The Scriptures emphasize that true security and salvation come from God alone, and reliance on earthly resources can lead to spiritual downfall.

Biblical References:

1. Wealth and Riches:
The Bible warns against trusting in wealth as a source of security. In Proverbs 11:28, it is written, "He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." This verse highlights the transient nature of material wealth and contrasts it with the enduring prosperity of those who live righteously.

2. Human Strength and Wisdom:
The futility of relying on human strength and wisdom is a recurring theme. Jeremiah 9:23-24 states, "This is what the LORD says: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things,' declares the LORD." This passage underscores the importance of knowing and understanding God over any human attribute or possession.

3. Military Might:
The Bible also addresses the false confidence placed in military power. Psalm 20:7 declares, "Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." This verse serves as a reminder that true victory and protection come from God, not from military strength or equipment.

4. Idolatry and False Gods:
Trusting in idols or false gods is another form of misplaced confidence. Isaiah 44:9-10 criticizes the folly of idol worship: "All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame. Who fashions a god or casts an idol which can profit him nothing?" This passage illustrates the emptiness of relying on anything other than the one true God.

5. Self-Reliance:
The Bible cautions against self-reliance, as seen in the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21. The rich man plans to store up his abundant crops, saying to himself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and be merry!" (Luke 12:19). However, God calls him a fool, for his life is demanded of him that very night, demonstrating the futility of relying on one's own resources without regard for God.

Theological Implications:
The Bible's teachings on false confidence in outward resources emphasize the need for humility and dependence on God. Believers are encouraged to seek God's kingdom and righteousness first (Matthew 6:33) and to trust in His provision and guidance. The Scriptures remind us that earthly resources are temporary and unreliable, while God's love and faithfulness are eternal.Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
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Psalm 33:17
An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
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Psalm 44:6
For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
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Psalm 49:6
They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
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Proverbs 11:28
He that trusts in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
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Isaiah 22:11
You made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but you have not looked to the maker thereof, neither had respect to him that fashioned it long ago.
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Isaiah 31:1-3
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not to the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!
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Jeremiah 48:7
For because you have trusted in your works and in your treasures, you shall also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together.
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Zechariah 4:6
Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, said the LORD of hosts.
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Mark 10:24
And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answers again, and said to them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
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CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... The difference between outward and inward speaking disappears ... Judah, and in which
they placed a false confidence. ... where, when all human resources failed, the ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

'Fragments' or 'Broken Pieces'
... us, on the level of natural and outward things, lessons ... not to be perverted into
idle and false depending upon ... are bidden to cherish a happy confidence in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/fragments or broken pieces.htm

Stillness in Storm
... for material wealth, and of provision for the future outward life ... The false estimate
of worldly good is in the air ... He knows.' What a wonderful confidence in His ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/stillness in storm.htm

Bossuet -- the Funeral Sermon on the Death of the Grande Conde
... Thus false glory had no temptation for him ... this noble heart; he will reward your
confidence by making ... of speech, and even while having the outward appearance of ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/bossuet the funeral sermon.htm

The Secret of Power
... Lips that once spoke with full confidence the words that cast ... As to the outward fact,
it is nothing"it may ... In the recoil from the false asceticism of Roman ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the secret of power.htm

The Power of Feeble Faith
... is destructive of the possibility of real confidence in Jesus ... in either the inward
or the outward being? ... not say, 'Understand Me, put away thy false notion of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the power of feeble faith.htm

A Faithful Friend
... to have that support snapped, and to receive a grievous fall as the effect of your
confidence. ... Mere outward show ... The statesman's promise, or false patriot's zeal ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/a faithful friend.htm

A Faithful Friend
... to have that support snapped, and to receive a grievous fall as the effect of your
confidence. ... Mere outward show ... The statesman's promise, or false patriot's zeal ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/a faithful friend.htm

Article vi: of Confession and Satisfaction.
... the Confutation is certainly most false, namely, that ... For although we can perform
outward works not ... beggarly ordinances], yet the confidence that satisfaction ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 16 article vi of.htm

The Awakening of Zion
... have the departed prophets' mantle, the outward resemblance to ... from it rests on an
altogether false conception of ... for despair but for joyful confidence, to the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the awakening of zion.htm

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