READING: Deuteronomy 7-9, Mark 11:19-33
“Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’”
Deuteronomy 8:17
Neither Pam nor I grew up in wealthy homes. We always had our needs met, but both of us worked jobs so that we could help with our own costs. I think that upbringing has led us to be deeply grateful for the way God has taken care of us in our marriage. He has been really good to us.
I have a good job. We have strong health care coverage. We have a home that is bigger than we need. Both of us have cars, though mine is an older one that is slowly falling apart. We have never been hungry or cold. We’re careful with expenditures and budgeting, but I don’t lose sleep over dollars. We struggle determining what to buy each other for our birthdays because we don’t need or want much at this stage of our lives. We rest in His love and provision.
Sometimes, however, I wonder if I truly give God enough praise for His gifts. I work hard, and I take my paychecks with integrity – but I fear I might forget that none of my hard work obligates God to bless us. I too often take our blessings for granted, assuming somehow that we’ve earned them by our efforts. I don’t think I’ve ever said these words, but I may have been guilty of thinking, “My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth” (Deut. 8:17). For that reason, the warning God gave His people as they prepared to enter the Promised Land sounds loudly to me today: “Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God” (Deut. 8:11-14).
It is not because of my strength or my righteousness or my goodness or my knowledge or my training that God is good to us. He’s just a good God – and I need to remember that.
ACTION STEPS:
- Thank God for His blessings in your life.
- Work hard today, but give God the glory.
PRAYER: “God, I’m a forgetful person. Remind me daily not to forget Your grace that blesses.”
TOMORROW'S READING: Deuteronomy 10-12, Mark 12:1-27