How can we avoid saying, "My power...has gained this wealth for me"?
Setting the Scene in Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 8 records Moses reminding Israel of forty years in the wilderness, where every need was met by the hand of God. Verse 17 pinpoints the danger once they enter a land flowing with abundance:
“You may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have gained this wealth for me.’ ” (Deuteronomy 8:17)
The warning is timeless because the human heart still drifts toward self-congratulation when life is comfortable.
The Heart Issue: Pride vs. Dependence• Pride proclaims personal achievement and crowds God out
• Dependence confesses that every breath, skill, and opportunity is a divine gift
• God’s purpose in blessing remains covenantal, not merely material: “Remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18)
Practical Ways to Keep God at the Center• Begin each day acknowledging His ownership: “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1)
• Verbally credit Him whenever success is noticed or praised
• Schedule regular review of financial statements alongside prayer, consciously tracing every increase back to the Lord
• Celebrate milestones with thanksgiving rather than self-exaltation
Cultivating a Lifestyle of Gratitude• Maintain a gratitude journal that lists specific provisions—employment, health, ideas, contacts, contracts
• Share testimonies of God’s provision with family and friends
• MemorizeJames 1:17: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights”
Stewardship over Ownership• Recognize that wealth is a trust, not a trophy (Luke 16:10–12)
• Budget with generosity in mind first, not last (Proverbs 3:9-10)
• Hold plans with open hands, ready for God to redirect
Walking in Humility Before the Lord• Fast periodically to remind the body and soul of total reliance (Matthew 4:4)
• Welcome correction from fellow believers when pride surfaces (Proverbs 27:6)
• Recall1 Corinthians 4:7: “What do you have that you did not receive”
The Role of Generosity• Give proportionately and cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
• Seek anonymous ways to bless others so the flesh finds no platform for boasting (Matthew 6:3-4)
• Invest in Gospel work that outlasts earthly treasure (Matthew 6:19-21)
Scripture Meditation and Memory•Deuteronomy 8:17-18
•1 Timothy 6:17-19
•Luke 12:15
•Colossians 3:17
•Psalm 103:2
Regular recitation lets truth reshape instinct until the heart reflexively declares, “The LORD, not my power, has done this.”
