The material blessings of life come from God. The person who looks at himself and forgets God when blessings are abundant is only revealing his pride. David responded to God’s blessings by saying, “Who are I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that Thou hast brought me this far?” (2 Samuel 7:18, NASB)

The material blessings of life are either a mirror in which we see ourselves, or a window through which we see God. The proud, selfish person thinks he deserves all these blessings and thinks only of himself. The person who knows that all blessings come from God looks away from himself to the Lord who gives so richly.

For that matter, we ought to see the hand of God in a piece of bread as much as in a field of grain. Jesus saw His Father’s goodness in the beautiful lily and the lowly sparrows.

It is all a matter of the heart. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21). The eyes see what the heart loves. If we love God and put His will first in our lives, then whatever material blessings we receive will only draw us closer to Him. Wealth will be our servant, not our master, and we will invest in things eternal.

Remember this: “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17, NASB).

Also read: Genesis 1:31; John 1:16; 2 Corinthians 3:5; James 1:17.

Action assignment: Read or sing “Now Thank We All Our God” or some other hymn related to thanking God for His goodness. Name things that are yours from His hand, and forthrightly thank Him.

WARREN W. WIERSBE
www.backtothebible.in