When Mike and I got married, we fell into the trap that we had to have a nice home. Next we had to have not only a baby but a minivan! When we drove that minivan off the lot I knew we had made it! To society, that is. In those days, things were most important. Sadly, we were not looking for eternal riches!
God wants us to be successful. Jeremiah 29; 11, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Prosper means to make successful. Psalm 84: 11, "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless." God does not want to withhold any blessings from us! I believe He wants our bills paid, our needs met and our family blessed. God wants us to have an abundant life! John 10: 10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
Matthew 19: 24, "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Wealth and possessions can become our god, our stumbling block, or our downfall if they become too important. We have a responsibility with success as explained in Luke 12: 48. "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded.." Every good and perfect gift is from above.
Matthew 6: 33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Deuteronomy 8: 18, "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." As long as we believe all good things come from God, we will stay humble. 2 Corinthians 9: 6, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." When we use the incredible blessings God has poured into our lives for His glory, we will be blessed beyond measure!
As I tell my girls, I hope you are successful but, more importantly, I hope you are humble and know that all good things come from God!