From Pastor Ulf’s Daily Devotion:
Then you say in your heart, “My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.” And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it
Deuteronomy 8:17-18
When God blessed Abraham, Isaac and Jacob He increased their herds and gave them wealth. When God blessed the children of Israel, He did the same. He never told them He was pleased with their poverty. On the contrary, He refers to poverty as a curse. “You shall carry much seed out to the field but gather little in, for the locust shall consume it. You shall plant vineyards and tend them, but you shall neither drink of the wine nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them. You shall have olive trees throughout all your territory, but you shall not anoint yourself with oil; for your olives shall drop off. … you shall serve your enemies, whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you” (Deuteronomy 28:38-40, 48).
The Hebrew mindset, as well as the reformed Christian mindset, maintains that God blesses us in every area of life, including the area of material wealth. The Lord is not warning against an abundance of material possessions; on the contrary, He encourages the people of Israel to “build beautiful houses and dwell in them” (Deuteronomy 8:12). What the Lord warns against is arrogance and a life independent of Him.
The Lord warns the children of Israel of forgetting that it was He who established their wealth and that this is a part of the covenant (verse 18). God is particular about upholding His part of the covenant. And He desires that the people of Israel, also, uphold their part so He can continue to bless them. How do they uphold their part? By “loving the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5).
When we whole-heartedly love the Lord, there is nothing left over for mammon. Whole-hearted devotion to the Lord ensures we never forget from where the blessings have come. When we love the Lord with all our heart we remain humble despite the abundant blessings and we do not look down upon anyone. We become trustworthy stewards with open hands and willing hearts. Whole-hearted dedication to God enables us to become channels for His blessings, which flow out in all directions.
- Ulf Ekman
Thank You, God, that the covenant blessing contains an abundance of blessing for my family and me. I hold on to Your promises and know You will provide power, energy, creativity and initiative, for the glory of Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
God let me be the vessel for your blessings to flow.
