Deuteronomy 8:17-19 “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 … if you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them … you will surely be destroyed.”

This is God speaking to refugees from Egypt who were freed by His efforts. They had received some wealth from Egyptian neighbors who were glad to get rid of them. At this point, they had survived wandering the desert by God’s daily provision, and they only owned what they could carry, plus their flocks.

Principle: Wealth comes from God, not from efforts to be wealthy – so be grateful.

Wealth destruction comes from a thankless, turning away from God. One of the most dangerous conclusions of financial success is to believe that we achieved it through our own effort apart from God’s grace and mercy. Beware to those who know God as the source of wealth and later take credit for their own success.

Albert Einstein said, “Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value.”

There is another danger to the self-made man who has achieved success. Even if he got there by honest hard work, he may look down on those who for one reason or another have not become wealthy. Such a person’s definition of success is too narrow.

Zig Ziglar said, “Success is the ability to get more of the things money will buy and all of the things money won’t buy.”

Discussion:

1. How do you define success?

2. What role has God played in your “success” story?

3. Give thanks.