The Most Dangerous Thing God Can Give You
Jan/121
More.
That is the most dangerous thing God can give you.
And we pray for it. We beg God to bless us with more.
More money. More house. More cars. More clothes. More whatever.
"God, can I just have a little more?"
Be careful. That's a dangerous request.
We see how dangerous in the book of Hosea, where God said, "But I have been the LORD your God ever since you came out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me. I cared for you in the wilderness, in the land of burning heat. When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me." (Hosea 13:4-6)
Did you see the progression?
More led to satisfaction.
Satisfaction led to pride.
Pride led them away from God.
It all started with God's blessing. God blessed His people with more than they needed. They were more than amply supplied. But instead of turning their "more blessing" into "more worship," it had the exact opposite effect. The more they had, the less they needed God.
We live in a nation that has more than any other nation has ever had. Ever. To say that we are amply supplied is a grand understatement. People who live in "poverty" in the U.S. often still have heat, running water, a car, and cable TV. That wouldn't come close to qualifying as an impoverished lifestyle in the rest of the world. But that's how much the more mentality has overwhelmed us. We have so much more that we believe it's normal, when it reality it's an incredibly abnormal blessing. One that most people in the world can only dream of.
But more is a very dangerous thing. Is your more prompting you toward gratitude and worship? Or is it having the exact opposite effect?
Be careful before you ask for more. God just might give it to you. And if He does, can you handle it?
It really is the most dangerous thing He can give you.
Leave a comment
No trackbacks yet.
12:58 am on January 18th, 2012
such a great reminder. whether material resources or leadership entrusted, our stewardship of God's investment is not to be taken lightly. but how easily we (I) can grow needy & ungrateful, unsatisfied & asking for more! when often, it is more of His presence, his Spirit overflowing that would be the true gift. it is never far from my thoughts, the words of Jesus in Luke 12:48 "But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." not that we should live/give/serve out of fear or obligation…but it definitely adds a weight to our priorities and decisions as we go about our everyday lives. stewardship matters. so does gratitude. thanks for the reminder!