Sometimes we are inclined to believe that we obtained our riches by our own powers or abilities. But, is this really true? Did we get our wealth, prosperity or success by our own powers or abilities? The answer to these questions is "No." We did not even get the clothes on our backs by our own powers. The only thing we came into this planet with is the ability to yell and cry.

We had to learn how to speak, write, clothe ourselves and feed our bodies. We were trained and given the education we need to pick up good jobs. We have to be honest enough to acknowledge God as the source of these blessings in our lives. If we do not acknowledge this fact, these blessings will constitute thorns in our hearts which can choke the Word of God and the blessings we hold so dearly (Matthew 13:22). God warns the people of Israel against this tendency in Deuteronomy 8: 11-18.

Deuteronomy 8:11-18 (NIV)
“…then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God…But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth…”

We need to exercise our hearts at this level of honesty so that our hearts do not become proud. Paul also encourages the Corinthians not to boast about anything they have because everything we have, we received (1 Corinthians 4:7). When we operate at this level of honesty, we will be positioned to receive the Mercy of God we need to overcome the attack of the destroyer, who constantly seeks to steal the blessings of God away from our lives. We cannot afford to be boastful.

Also, when we refuse to boast and instead acknowledge publicly that all we have is from God, others who may not have risen to our level of blessing and prosperity will be motivated because they will then know that they have a chance as well. So, this style of operation will not only benefit us as individuals, but it will also benefit all the people around us. Let us ascend to a higher level of honesty by acknowledging God as the source of our prosperity. Having understood this, let us now proceed to review the requisite level of humility required to complement this level of honesty in our next article: Casting Cares on God.