“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
— Proverbs 16:18

There are many people who can withstand the temptations of failure, the temptations of lack or poverty, who have discovered that they could not withstand the perils and temptations of success. How many men and women have you known who did well in their spiritual life and made great progress in studying His word in Sunday School and Bible classes? They were engaged in His work and seeking the Lord; God blessed them and they were marvelously helped, until their pride deceived them into thinking that they accomplished it all on their own.

They began to say in the secret chambers of their hearts the same things that the Israelites had said after they had been delivered from Egypt. They said, “Our hand is victorious, and the Lord has not done all this” (Deuteronomy 32:27). And like the bulls of Bashan they kicked out at Jehovah who had delivered them. Therefore, God was angry with them, and He delivered them over to destruction because of their pride.

I have seen people who seem to seek the Lord, but in the end it was apparently with insincere motives. God blesses them, and soon their bank accounts are bulging and their houses are large and their cars and boats are many, and they say in their own hearts, “The Lord has not done all this. No, I did it. It was my talent, my sagacity, my business acumen, that caused this to be done.” But God gives grace to the humble, and in due time He will humble the proud.

Lord, give me strength for today to handle the gift of prosperity. Help me to recognize it is Your hand that has helped me. Help me to be generous with all that You have given me. Forgive me for the pride in my heart…

BY GOD’S STRENGTH, WE RECOGNIZE HE IS
THE SOURCE OF ALL GOOD THINGS.