The Perils of Prosperity

The Fodder:  Deuteronomy 6-8

The Thought:  “Here we go again...”  The repetitions of Deuteronomy at first seem unnecessary until I realize that, in spite of them, the Israelites failed to remember and follow all of the things God warned them about.  Some truths are so paramount and human memories so inferior, that they need to stated over and over again.  So...here we go again.

Moses knows that once settled in Canaan, Israel will find it easier to adapt to, rather than change, their new surroundings.  There’s a tendency for abundance to beget arrogance.  Arrogance heightens self-reliance and self-reliance strangles God-reliance.  Nothing dulls our sensitivity to God like independence.  Adversity introduces a person to himself; prosperity intoxicates him.

Here’s a prescription that will keep the perils of prosperity at bay in our lives.  It’s found in Deuteronomy 6:13, “Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.”  The Law has already been given; Israel’s obedience to it, not their knowledge of it, will determine their continual success.