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Thoughts on Today’s Verse…
As we enter the month, often associated with giving thanks and sharing our resources with others on Giving Tuesday, this reminder from Moses is an important one! We so easily forget to give thanks when things are going well. It’s easy for us to whine and ask God to help us when we are in trouble, but so often, we feel like we “deserve” the good things that happen to us. God reminds us that what we have confirms his grace and faithfulness to do what he has said. Let’s remind each other that our blessings come from his hand, not because we deserve them more than someone else. In addition, God blesses us so that we can share his blessings with others (2 Corinthians 9:10-11). We are called to be conduits of God’s blessings and grace.
My Prayer…
Generous Father, forgive me for my forgetfulness and occasional stingyness. In my heart, I know I don’t deserve all the good things you have poured into my life. Sometimes, however, I find myself thinking that I’ve earned them because I work hard and deserve them. Use your Spirit to forge in me a heart like Jesus’ heart. Our Lord did deserve everything good and yet gave it all up to come to earth and give me the greatest gift imaginable — the gift of your salvation! Thank you so much for this gift of grace and the many other undeserved gifts you have lavished on me. In Jesus’ name, I thank and praise you. Amen.
Bible References
18 But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
Deuteronomy 8:17-18
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, as it is today.
In chapter 8 of Deuteronomy, Moses is reminding the people of Israel that it is God who has provided for their needs such as manna from heaven to feed them, clothes that did not wear out for 40 years, and shoes that keep their feet safe while they were wandering in the wilderness.
In verses 6-20, Moses tells them that not only has God provided for their needs but that He was also going to give them more blessings by giving them the good land of Canaan, described in vs. 7-9. Moses was concerned that prosperity may lead to them forgetting just who was responsible for their wealth and in turn lead them down the path of disobedience to God.
Well this is so applicable for us today, isn’t it? When God blesses His children with money, we are always to remember where that money comes from and who that money belongs to, it is God’s not ours! I don’t care how much money we do or do not have, every dollar is God’s. We are to be good stewards of the money He has entrusted to us. We are to pray for wisdom on where we are to give His money, and what we are to buy with it. If we fail to do this, just as Moses warned his people, we may become self-reliant and feel we no longer need God, which leads to a life of disobedience and sinful practices. Every single blessing we have is from the hand of God, we did nothing to deserve it, it is all His love, mercy, and grace displayed to us!
Proverbs 11:28
He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
Philippians 4:12-13
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength.”
Father God, thank You for always meeting my needs and for the blessings You have given me in this life. But most of all Father, thank You for sending Jesus to die for my sins on the cross at Calvary. The pleasures of this life are nothing compared to eternity with You! I love You so Abba and pray that You give me wisdom in all that I do and say, for Your glory, Amen!