1 Tim 6:17 Command
those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in
uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to
enjoy.
The
great danger for successful rich man is the silent development of pride which
accumulates slowly by continuous successes. Slowly and unconsciously, he will
exclude God out of his successes thereby stealing His glory.
Dan 3:28-29 Nebuchadnezzar
spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who
sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have
frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not
serve nor worship any god except their own God! Therefore I make a decree that
any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall
be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.”
After
God’s deliverance of the three Israeli youths, King Nebuchadnezzar humbled
himself before his subjects and proclaimed the faithfulness of the Almighty
God.
Dan 4:11, 22, 25, 27 The tree grew and became strong; Its height reached to the heavens, and
it could be seen to the ends of all the earth.... it is you, O king, who have
grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the
heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth.... They shall drive you
from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall
make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and
seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the
kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.... Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break
off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the
poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.”
Though his mouth praised and thanked God, his heart slowly began to
glorify his own abilities. To help him overcome pride, Prophet Daniel advised
King Nebuchadnezzar to repent of his sins and iniquities by doing righteous
works and by being merciful to the poor.
Brethren, this is good advice for every one of us, for faith without works is dead.
Dan 4:30-31 The
king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal
dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” While the word was still in the
king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is
spoken: the kingdom has departed from
you!”
The
pride of Nebuchadnezzar was revealed when he claimed his greatness by his own
ability and God reduced him to be like a cow eating grass. Today, many of our
rich brethren may be tempted to steal the glory from God. God will humble them
by sending them into bankruptcy, jail terms for corruption, theft, money
laundering, sexual crimes, loss of precious ones, removal from practice
(lawyers, doctors)
1 Tim 6:3-4 If
anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the
words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with
godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing,
but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come
envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions.
It is
always wrong doctrines and heresies that destroy Christians' faith and love for
God, causing them to stray and become proud, haughty, selfish, covetous,
wicked, and worldly.
