Deuteronomy 8:17–18

“then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” – Deuteronomy 8:17–18

Moses is speaking to a generation of Israelites who were children during the exodus and others born in the wilderness. A few still remembered Egypt, but most never experienced slavery firsthand. Instead, they grew up eating manna, drinking water from the rock, and being guided daily by the cloud and the fire.

Now, as Moses’ time was nearly over, he prepared them for a great transition. They were about to enter a land overflowing with milk and honey; houses they did not build, vineyards they did not plant, wells they did not dig, and even wealth they didn’t earn, through battles God Himself had won for them.

But here is where the issue arises for Israel and for us. Once we taste comfort, security, and freedom, we are tempted to forget the Source, our God. Our hearts can easily lift themselves up with pride and say, “It’s my strength, my work, my power.”

That’s why Moses said, “Remember the Lord your God.” Because no one can accumulate wealth without God continuously giving strength to obtain goods, land, status, and position. Building wealth requires endurance, and endurance requires strength but that strength comes from Him alone.

But we must also see this truth: God granted power to make wealth to Israel for a special purpose, “that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Look around, and you see how the Jewish people are known for wealth and prosperity. This was never random, nor was it built by their own strength, ability, or power. It was a confirmation of the covenant promises God made to Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3).

The phrase “as it is this day” emphasizes the living, active nature of God’s faithfulness to His promises . Even though that covenant was spoken nearly 500 years earlier, it was still alive, still in effect, and still being fulfilled in their generation and even into ours.

Notice, Moses did not warn them about wealth itself. The warning was about attitude. Wealth and power with humility is a great blessing, but wealth and power mixed with pride is a great evil. That’s why in the New Testament Jesus said it is hard for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God, and Paul wrote that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.

Look around today, when life becomes comfortable, when people gain security and freedom, pride begins to creep in. Many wealthy people forget about God. Even some believers drift away from their faith because of wealth. But let me tell you this, the goal right now is not to accumulate wealth, because all of it is appointed to be destroyed one day.

We can take wealth with pride and lose everything, or We can take wealth with humility and honor the One who gave it. But the greatest wealth we all ever carry is to win a soul for eternity.

The wilderness teaches us dependence, but the Promised Land tests our remembrance. Our endurance should not be spent on piling up wealth, but
to strengthen our faith  and to win souls. Jesus says, For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). That’s why our endurance should not be spent on piling up riches that will fade and are appointed to be destroyed, but on winning souls, because “he who wins souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30). This is the true accomplishment of God’s calling in our lives, where “those who turn many to righteousness shall shine like the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).