BLESSED HANDS (2)

“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you POWER to get WEALTH…” – Deuteronomy 8:18a

God’s covenant children are privileged to possess BLESSED HANDS with wealth-creating power: “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 is this day” (Dt.8:18). Moses was preaching to Israel, preparing them to enter the Promised Land. There would come a day when they will have success and wealth. They were cautioned to acknowledge God in that day. They were not supposed to think that they had done it all on their own. He warned the people to not forget God by not keeping His commandments. In times of abundance, it’s easy to forget the LORD, or at least no longer seek Him with the urgency we once had. God is the One that gives strength – spiritual, mental, and physical – to be productive.

God is the Source of all our productivity and wealth. The people were warned never to say, “My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth” (v.17b). Most often than not, we tend to forget God when He has made things go well for us. We often remember Him only when things go sour. When a person is going through a difficult time it is easy to remember God. People cry out to God asking for help during times of trouble, trials, and pain. During times that are going quite well, most people forget about the need for God, feeling they don’t need Him because they can do things themselves. Just as much as we have to seek and rely on God during times of trouble, we must also seek and rely on Him during the good times; those times that we do not seem to have any great need.

Moses reminded Israel of all God had miraculously done in bringing them out of Egyptian slavery and during their wilderness wanderings. When they got settled in the promised land and begin to live comfortable lives, they must remember that God is the real source of their well-being, and of any success they achieve. When we commit our way to God, then He prepares His way for us just as He did with the Israelites in their wilderness wanderings. So, we should always recognize His hand at work in our lives and know that God is working for our good (Rom.8:28). We must never forget that the credit for God’s favour and our success belongs to God, not ourselves. When we live our lives according to God’s plans and purposes, then He gives us the ability to accomplish it and be successful…to be a success story for God!

Although men may have wealth-getting opportunities, capacities for the management of business or the acquisition of it, and may not be lacking in diligence and industry, yet may not attain it. It is the blessing of God that makes rich (Pro.10:22). It is God who has given us the ability to create wealth. We often think highly of our own hard work and brilliance. Yet we must see that God gives us the body, brain, hands, and talents. It is all of God. Without God we could not even begin to breathe air. We must learn to rely on God in the good times as well as in the not so good times. It is God who brought us where we are today. It is God who has given us everything that we have today.

God’s covenant reminds us as to why God has blessed us and our hands. His plan is that this would ultimately further His eternal purpose. Obedience is the best way to remember God (Jam.1:22-25). Continuous remembrance through thankfulness and an attitude of gratitude, keeps the memories of God’s provisions (Psa.103: 1-5). Gratitude helps us to correctly perceive our current blessings: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (Jam.1:17).