Lessons From DeuteronomyPrøve

Where did your money come from? Is it good to be proud of your job and the work you do? Absolutely! There are too many workers who are just mailing it in and have no work pride. Is it good to be self-reliant? Absolutely! There are too many people willing to let someone else carry them. Is it good to think of yourself as a self-made man or woman? Absolutely not. Because you didn’t make yourself or your income or your personal wealth. It is good to work hard, live smaller than your income, accumulate assets, buy property, invest, have a long-term view, and exercise discipline in your financial matters. But behind all of these things that seem to be all you is the smiling face of the God who loves you. He is the ultimate driver and provider of all your financial successes. Moses wanted the Israelites to understand where their future prosperity was going to come from: “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 ancestors” (Deuteronomy 8:17,18). When you look over your personal balance sheet, remember to thank the Lord. When you buy your first home, remember to thank the Lord. When you calculate that you can afford to retire, remember to thank the Lord. He gave you your stuff.