Perhaps you’ve built a great business. Or maybe you’ve received an inheritance. You might even have a wonderful employer who pays really well. Is it okay to be proud of what you accomplished? Is it okay, to be proud of your wealth?
Pride is an interesting word in our culture. I remember back in high school that we were taught it was okay to be proud of our school . . . not to mention our football team. And what about being a proud American? Aren’t we proud of who we are, what we have, and our nation?
Let’s consider this Bible verse:
But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. – Deuteronomy 8:18 (NIV)
It seems clear that God is the one who gives us the ability to produce wealth. After all, he is the architect of this world and everything in it. Should we really be proud of our wealth? Without God, after all, we’re nothing! That’s pretty humbling if you ask me.
Keep in mind that I’m not saying it’s not okay to be wealthy. We need at least some measure of wealth to take care of our families – not only in the short term, but in the long term as well.
Remember, money is not a root of evil; the love of money is a root of evil:
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. – 1st Timothy 6:10 (NIV)
The key here is that we have to love God, not money. Money is simply a tool, and tools can be used for good or evil. Let’s use it for good.
I propose to you today that pride is dangerous and can make us disillusioned about ourselves. Our lives, our actions, and our resources all need to be pointing upward to one source: God who is the provider of all things.
Let’s not get boastful. Let’s simply give glory to the one who enabled us to do amazing things.
Have you struggled with the concept of pride? Do you think it’s ever okay to be proud? In what sense? Leave a comment!