100 Days of HopeSample

Not By My Hands

In America, it’s easy to look around us—to see our prosperity—and to give ourselves credit for our wealth. With such abundance, it’s tempting to think that by our own strength we have pulled ourselves up by our bootstraps.

It’s also easy to view the world’s poor as people who have gotten in their circumstances through their own unwise decisions. If the poor were more industrious and hardworking, they, too, would excel.

But God warns against an attitude of self-reliance: “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth … “

The truth is we have been blessed with numerous opportunities: We have access to education, the freedom to worship, and the opportunity to get a job. Most people in the developing world do not have such privileges.

It’s time to recognize that the God who has blessed us so richly is calling us to give generously, to share our wealth with the poor, and to use his gifts to further His Kingdom.

Prayer: Father, we pray that we recognize that all of our wealth comes from you. Give us the courage to steward our resources wisely and to give extravagantly to others.