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Deuteronomy 8:6-20
The Perils of Prosperity

Quote George Washington - "whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the implore His protection and favor; Whereas, both the houses of Congress have by their joint committee requested me "To recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by Almighty God, especially by affording them and opportunity peaceably to establish a form or government for their safety and happiness"! how, therefore, I do recommend next to be devoted by the people of the states to the  service of that great and glorious being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be, that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country".
Thanksgiving might not be celebrated in the U.S. today, were it not for a patient, persistent woman named Sarah Hale. It is well known that the Pilgrim Fathers celebrated the first Thanksgiving Day in 1621 to give thanks for their winter in the New World. In 1789, President George Washington issued a Thanksgiving Day Proclamation to commemorate the first Pilgrim celebration. But Thomas Jefferson, the third president discontinued it, calling Thanksgiving "a kingly practice".
After this, Thanksgiving was observed by some individual states and on whatever date suited their fancy. Then in 1826, Mrs. Hale, the editor of the magazine "Godney's Lady's Book" and author of the poem "Mary had a Little Lamb," began campaigning for the restoration of Thanksgiving as a national holiday. She wrote letters and sought appointments with national leaders from the President down. Time after time she was politely rebuffed, sometimes being told it was "impossible and impractical" and sometimes being dismissed with a "this is none of your business" scolding.
Finally in 1863, Lincoln listened seriously to her plea that North & South "lay aside enmities and strife on Thanksgiving Day." Lincoln proclaimed the 4th Thursday of November to be the official "National Thanksgiving Day." The US Congress finally ratified this day in 1941.
Thanksgiving Day is Thursday. We have so very much to be thankful for; it is hard to know where to begin. But we should be thankful; for without a thankful heart we become proud and self-centered. God had promised Israel "the good lad" and He led them out of Egypt and through the wilderness into that Promised Land. But He knew that their new-found prosperity would bring with it the terrible temptation to take God for granted, so He warns them of the perils of prosperity. Don't forget to thank God for His blessings.
When Israel entered the good land it would be one of the greatest changes in their history. In the midst of plenty they might forget God, who sustained them in the wilderness, brought them into their possession and lavished His gifts upon them.

BIG IDEA: Prosperity can cause us to lose our perspective.
Illus. Height has a strange way of disturbing our balance.
Two extreme tests that disturb our balance.
1. Adversity - Prov 24:10-If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!
Good News Trans. "If you are weak in a crisis, you are weak indeed.
2. Prosperity
Quote Thomas Carlyle-Adversity is hard no a man, but for one man who can stand prosperity, there are a hundred that will stand adversity.

I. Prosperity produces self-indulgence (10)
Wealth can lead to excess. In abundance men indulge sinful appetites. With every mouthful we should think of the God who gave it. Wealth leads to the flesh - Rather clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Rom 13:14 Such abundant provision should call forth continuous praise to God for
His goodness. God's intention was for His people to enjoy His good gifts. Don't forget to thank God for His blessings. What has God provided for you that you take for granted?
II. Prosperity is a path to self-centeredness (11-13)
Israel is under deep obligation to obey God in the light of His great goodness. We tend to forget about God.
Israel is given a stern warning:
Don't forget to thank God for His blessings. What has God delivered you from?

III. Prosperity is a progeny to self-evaluation (14-16)
It lifts up the mid against God.
Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Herod - look at the things I did All against God - Direct resistance.
James 4:6-But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
Hosea 13:6-When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me."
Don't forget to thank God for His blessings.
IV. Prosperity promotes self-glorification (17-18)
Proud men esteem themselves too highly
Vs. 17 is an arrogant claim that elevates self to the status of God.
Proud men demand reverence from their fellow men. Proud men glorify themselves rather than God
Dan 4:30-31-he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence ,by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty? The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, 'This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar, your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of man and gives them to anyone he wishes."
God's power is evident
In saving His people out of the poverty of Egypt
Sustaining them in a barren wilderness
Leading them into the land of promise and plenty

Wealth comes from God's gift of the land by the use of time, ability and energy, which are also divine endowments.

Illus. Bread & Faith - Marie and her husband, first-time parents were watching their infant sleeps peacefully in the crib. They spoke in hushed tones about needing a loaf of bread for sandwiches to take to work the following day, for toast for breakfast and to supplement the evening's meal. The bread was a staple need and at the time it could be purchased for a quarter. But for this couple a quarter seemed like a piece of gold for they were married wit a small baby and were working their way through school. Softly, her husband said, I'll to down and get the mail. As he got up off the couch, the wife thought of the long months of pregnancy when she has slept on that couch, cozying up to her husband without feeling the need for a comfortable bed. But bread they needed. Just then her husband returned. "A letter from mom & dad. Well look at this, a quarter. Not $10, or $1, but a quarter. Mom had sent it as a payment for a compliment she had been given by her daughter in the last letter she had received. At that moment I was reminded again that the Lord was showing us he cared for our needs before we knew we had them. He is always faithful. Walking in faith is exciting. Don't forget to thank God for His blessings. What can you give God credit for?

V. Prosperity is principle to self-destruction. (19-20)
Remembrance will bring us into the glad sunlight.
Remembrance will make our toil lighter.
Don't forget to thank God for His blessings.
Illus. Many years ago, a boat was wrecked in a storm in Lake Michigan at Evanston. Students from Northwestern formed themselves into rescue teams. One student Edward Spencer saved 17 people from the sinking ship. When he was carried exhausted to his room, he asked, "Did I do my best. Do you think I did my best? Years later a speaker was talking about this incident at a meeting in LA. A man called out that Edward was in the audience. The speaker invited Everett to the platform. An old man with white hair slowly climbed the steps as the applause rang out. The speaker asked him if anything in particular stood out in his memory. "Only this sir, of the seventeen people I saved, not one of them thanked me."
When a nation in its government and institutions publicly acknowledges it as indebtedness to God and makes public profession of loyalty to Him (like Washington) God shall add to it blessings. It is the same with the individual. God may not send material wealth, but He will give them reason for the joyful assurance that He is with them and of the certainty of His promises-hope for time and assured hope for eternity. The effect will be closer communion and more consecrated service.
Quite different is the effect of forgetting God while receiving His gifts.
Hardness of heart, material living, God-forgetfulness, idolatry- these were the
steps of descent. Nothing so tends to harden a heart and quench the spiritual life than God-forgetfulness and ingratitude in using the divine gifts. There are still too many who reap much without much gratitude to God who sent it all.
There are still too many who attribute their wealth, success and other blessings
to their own skill and industry, who add possession to possession without one thought of using them beyond the narrow circle of their own lives.
As one who is privileged to know the God of all grace, be generous in your praise and thanksgiving today. See everything as a gift from His hand for your joy and edification.

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