Richly Blessed

When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. - Deuteronomy 6:10-12

“As Americans, we are rich. In fact, the poorest among us are wealthy by global standards. According to the World Bank, just under 80 percent of the world's population live on less than $10/day. Lots of us spent more than that on a meal today. This observation is not intended to stir up guilt but to acknowledge responsibility. God has blessed us in abundance, and Jesus commands us in the Gospels to be generous, sacrificial and cheerful givers.” ~ Tony Merida in his book, Orphanology.

Prosperity can be a dangerous thing. Wealth, in and of itself, is not sinful. However, material blessing often leaves us vulnerable to worshiping the gifts instead of the Giver. Whether in 1400 BC or 2015, Moses’ warning in Deuteronomy 6 rings true…”Be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” The Israelites were delivered from a literal land of slavery. But all Christians have been delivered from slavery to sin.

Moses’ concern was for the hearts of God’s people. They had been slaves for more than 400 years. They had to depend on God for everything during that time. All the while, He was preparing a place for them to live – a land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob where all of their needs, both physically and spiritually, would be met. Moses feared that when there were trees and vines rich with fruit and wells full of clean water waiting for them, they would not remember from Whom these provisions came. And that is exactly what happened.

Aren’t we just the same? How often when we turn on the shower or faucet do we give thanks to the Giver of clean water? How often when we fill our grocery cart do we thank God for food to eat, and for the money to buy it? How often when we go to the ATM or drive through the bank do we lift up a shout of praise to God for His provision? Yes, some have more than others. But if you are reading this, you have electricity and access to a computer. You have enough education to be literate. These are precious gifts that many do not have…and we would be wise to remember the Giver and not forget Him in our prosperity. What we have been given is not a right; it is a blessing. And the Giver deserves all of the glory. Because in Christ, we are all gloriously rich!

Dear God, please forgive me for taking Your gifts for granted and for forgetting You in my land of plenty. Please help me to be generous with all that You entrust to me and to remember that it is all Yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.