Daily Devotions
Prosperity & Pride
Reading for September 1st: Ezekiel 25-27
The word of the LORD came to me: "Now you, son of man, raise a lamentation over Tyre, and say to Tyre, who dwells at the entrances to the sea, merchant of the peoples to many coastlands, thus says the Lord GOD:
"O Tyre, you have said,
'I am perfect in beauty.'
Your borders are in the heart of the seas;
your builders made perfect your beauty.
Ezekiel 27:1-4
Seafaring trade had made Tyre the envy of the nations around them. Ezekiel mentions "many coastlands" trading with Tyre. They were noted for a purple dye which was produced locally, cedar timber from the forests of Lebanon, as well as carpenters and masons. All of this had brought wealth to this island city.
Is it wrong to be successful and prosperous? Is it a sin to build beautiful things and to enjoy the fruit of your labors? No, it's not. But the danger of all of this is the pride which comes almost inevitably as a result.
The challenge for us is to remember that we are not defined by all of the gifts we have been given, but by the Giver of all of those gifts. Without him we are nothing. Let's not forget that.
Father, forgive us for thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought. Humble our foolish pride and help us to give thanks for all your abundant gifts.
