Wealth

“Otherwise you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth’.  But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth,”  Deuteronomy 8:17-18

Wealth – Not many of us are wealthy.  Of course, it’s a relative concept.  Compared to the average person of the world, Americans, even poor Americans, are fabulously wealthy.  But in the time of Moses, Israel was not a wealthy nation.  So, it’s unfortunate that we don’t get a deeper picture in this word, because we are apt to miss its impact.  We are inclined to say, “Oh, that doesn’t apply to me. I’m not rich.”  Be careful.  Maybe when you know what ideas are captured by this word, you will discover just how much it describes each of us.

Hayil (pronounced with a hard ch sound) is a word about influence.  It is not necessarily about money.  Hayil is used to describe the strength of an army, the virtue of a godly woman, the power of righteous behavior, the influence of numbers in an assembly and the power of riches.  It is not about bank accounts.  It’s about your ability to direct the behavior and thinking of others. 

Suddenly the image expands.  Do you influence fellow employees?  Do you influence children?  Do you have an influence over your spouse?  In your church?  In your neighborhood?  Are you “wealthy” in contacts and connections?  Well, unless you live by yourself on a desert island, the answer is “Yes”.  We are social creatures wealthy in the influence of others.  Rich in relationships.  Sometimes those riches include money and position and obvious power.  Often they do not.  But the point of this verse applies across the board.  Your influence is not the result of your own making.  Just like everything else in your life, it is God’s gift.

And the warning applies as well.  In our circles of influence it is easy to slip into the mold that says, “Look at what I have done.  Look who I know.  Look at how important I am.”  Nebuchadnezzar said that once (Daniel 4:30).  It brought on seven years of insanity.  God will not share His glory.

In this world, we are tempted to consider our “networks” as the result of our own efforts.  Deuteronomy reminds us that God engineers life, places us where He wills and intersects us with those whom He sends our way – all for His purposes.  We are nothing more than humble messengers of the King, sent to greet those He wishes to speak to.  Let your wealth in all its forms acknowledge Him as the source.  Live the life of the gift.