Prosperity not poverty may be the greatest challenge to your faith!

As we rise from “no-thing” and “no-body” to begin accumulating stuff and receiving awards and accolades, it becomes a great challenge to maintain a genuine spirit of humility. Pride is both the first and the final expression of the depravity of our hearts.

• It took Lucifer out of #1 among the angels
• It swept King Uzziah off his pedestal
• Hezekiah was set up for disaster via his God-given success

Solomon nailed it when he said, “Pride comes before destruction.” Proverbs 16:18

Knowing the danger to faith that accumulation and accolades bring, God told Moses to say to Israel BEFORE they took ownership of the Promiseland, “When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you. Beware lest you forget the Lord your God…when you have built good houses and lived in them, when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, then your heart becomes proud, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the house of slavery.” Deuteronomy 8:10-14

The tragic stories I can tell of those whose “blessings” have risen to become their “curses.” I have lived long enough to see far too many brothers and sisters live in humble dependence upon the Lord, UNTIL their fortunes were changed by His hand. Then, over a period of time, a coldness of heart sets in. Their eyes begin to shift from the glorious God who so graced them to fix upon the “blessings” He has provided. And in that moment, their heart begins to applaud their accomplishments and they begin to believe their own press-releases. Horizontal pride replaces vertical praise. If they occasionally do a “Tebow,” it is only ritual. Reality is, they have forgotten the Lord and His innumerable kindnesses. What they do not realize is, they are about to fall!

Lessons from the stunning demise of the second greatest king to rule the nation of Judah: pride comes before destruction, and prosperity not poverty may be the greatest challenge to your faith. You can count on it!

“Humble yourself, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He might exalt you at the proper time.” 1 Peter 5:6

See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom