Yep, it is nice, here we are walking with the Lord, then we start increase in wealth and prosper in our jobs and all other things we may do. We become popular with the in crowd.

Then slowly, things start to unravel. We become proud and say to ourselves; "Look at all MY ACCOMPLISHMENTSforgetting who gave us our fortune.

Above is a slow picture of what can and has happen to fellow Christian brothers and sisters. How many have gone astray because of fortunes gain, I really don't know, but it is a shame to one day wake up and all is gone.

Job stated it right, though his wealth and riches did not bring this disaster upon him, "God gives and God takes away (Job 1:21 paraphrased).

Yes it is very true, everything we have is from the Lord, but many fall victims to riches and forget this fact.

As the text says, they become proud and forget God.

In verse 17 of Deuteronomy 8 states this simple fact; "

...you may say in your heart 'My power and the strength of MY hand has made this wealth."

You may think that I am not in context with the passage, which is true in ways, but think about it, God is already predicting what will be our minds.

Wealth has a way of changing people, not that Christians should not be wealthy, the fact is we should be the riches people in the world, our minds change. Instead of being secured and dependent on God, we become self righteous and forget Him.

It really is a slow death and you don't even realize that you are slowly drifting away.

It may start slow, you stop praising Him for meeting your daily needs, stop giving in the offering, slowly start missing services and next thing you know you have all left going to church at all. What once was a huge part of your life has now become an interference for simple pleasures in life.

God warns regarding wealth and what it can do to us. It is the root of all evil, according to 1 Timothy 6:10, it has caused many people to from the faith.

It is not money that is evil, it is what it does to a person. Money in itself has no mind, but it can talk to you. It temps us in so many ways, just as it did in the parable of the prodigal son.

Here was a young man, raised in a wealthy family, taught to love God and what did he do?

Yep, that is right, he asked his father for his inheritance before his father died and he change! He wandered from what he learned from his father and squander it all on loose living, forgetting where it came from.

Yeah he knew better, but with his riches he had no time or interest in continuing his walk with the Lord.

So this young man got a wake up call. He became homeless, found a job feeding hogs, and was eating some of their food.

His story is sad commentary of gaining wealth and forgetting who was responsible for him to receive it.

There are other stories in scriptures that talk about forgetting the Lord because of wealth and pride to let us know that it can create problems.

No money in itself is not evil, it what it does to us and we are responsible for our actions and thoughts.

Always remember, if you have prospered don't forget who gave it to you. You did make it and there is no such thing as a self made man. God is the one who gives and just as He gives and we don't honor Him with His substance ( we are just care takers) and only a small portion of what He gives us to do His work, He will give us a wake up call and take it all back.

Don't let your heart say "BY MY POWER and BY MY STRENGTH, made me this wealth", because it won't go unnoticed by God and He will give you a wake up call because of His love for you.

Just remember "the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you POWER to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant.... (Duet. 8:18)

Yes all we have is from the Lord, so instead of thinking how rich you can become, but say this prayer:

"Lord please do not make me wealthy that I may forget or poor that I might steal and dishonor you, but meet my daily needs so I may be content and remember that all things come from You."

Amen

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