In our western nations that have functioned under Christianity for hundreds of years, there has been remarkable growth in wealth and the conveniences of life. This growth seems to have accelerated more in the last 70 years than in the previous 330, but during all that time there was progress among some especially wealthy and progressive nations, and some not so well off. Among the greatest are the nations of Western Europe, Britain, Canada, USA, Australia and a few others. Some say that 90% of the (global) wealth is theirs. Much progress is in the relationship with workers and companies and the willingness to obey the laws of the land and personal interactions. Christianity added the concept of respect for all others. The Bible advises us to ask for neither poverty nor riches, but for enough, lest we deny our Creator when we are too full or too much in want. There is a great danger that comes from having too much. Nations and people become accustomed to plenty. They do not remember days of want and need, hunger and thirst, economic crashes and great unrest and war. Only 20 years after the horrors of WW1, Europe and the world plunged into the greater horror of WW2. Since then there have been ongoing wars and conflicts, which do not seem to have brought solutions. Appreciation for what we have, thankfulness for that which has brought us here is a necessary and vital part of keeping and sustaining that with which we have been greatly blessed. We humans have a terrible track record of forgetting the blessings we have been given. We seem to think we deserve more and more. One generation follows another, and history reveals the pattern of losing their gains because they became haughty and unthankful (Prov. 30:8-14). Blessings come as a result of hard work, good thought and appreciation for the Giver of all things. We learn this through our childhood or by the harsh lessons of life. When people have plenty, there is a danger that they become lazy, complacent or “fat and sassy.” There is a danger that there will be mishandling and ultimately the loss of all that was theirs.
Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden and could not have asked for more. But it was not long before they turned from the rules and laws that their Creator commanded them to obey (Gen. 3:11). Those rules or laws were for their benefit and good and breaking them brought endless troubles. The prodigal son was an example of a young man who had everything given to him but did not appreciate it. Only when he was eating the feed of swine did he come to his senses and return to his father’s home (Luke 15:16,17). His fortune was gone, his reputation and health ruined, but fortunately he was able to recover. King David came from a humble home and was given favour from God – even having a heart that pleased God. He too made great mistakes that almost cost him his life and the kingdom (Psalm 51:1-4). David’s son Solomon grew up with plenty. He started well, but his heart was not like that of David who had learned some hard lessons. As a result, Solomon changed from one who God greatly loved and favoured, to a king who failed and God removed part of the kingdom (I Kings 11:3-6). The son of Solomon was even worse (I Kings 12:10,11). When children grow up in a home and circumstance where they are not taught appreciation for what they have, they too often grow up to be careless and self-centered in all their thoughts and actions. They forget to be thankful for health, wealth, circumstances that have given them so much. Cherish it, or lose it is the lesson. Having much without responsibility and the character to guard and preserve that good, can result in losing all that is ours. The Bible was given so we have examples of good and bad.
This principle of growing careless when there is plenty, has followed the history of Israel. Israel was the chosen people of God and were offered every blessing possible. However, the moment their urgent needs were met, they readily forgot their benefactor. They were in misery as slaves in Egypt but God took them out of Egypt with a great hand (Deut. 5:15). The riches of Egypt were theirs, great herds of animals and miracles and wonders at almost every turn, and still they found much to complain about (Exod. 14:10- 14). The Bible tells us in many places and examples, that when Israel (or individuals) are filled they tend to forget the God who blessed them (Hos. 13:6,9).
God uses an example of loving care given to Israel when she was without her beauty and greatness. He cleaned her, clothed her and took care of the nation. But as soon as she realized she was beautiful and to be desired, she forgot the One who had given her all she had - and looked for other lovers (Ezek. 16:6-15,22). In the book of Psalms, Asaph recorded the history of Israel. God delivered them from their troubles, and His only request was that they listen to His words. God’s laws and ways are the only laws that are unchangeable and correct. Any deviation can cause a disaster. A good example is watching birds fly. Their flight is completely in accord with the laws of aerodynamics that God put in place. Their flights are beautiful because they fly by His laws and that gives them freedom and joy. God’s condition was: “if you will listen to Me” (Psalm 81:8). That is followed with the sad fact that they would not listen and as a result God gave them over to their own counsels (Psalm 81:12). Without the guidelines God gives, disaster looms in every corner of life.
One of the great dangers in the western world today is that of choosing a life of ease. Self-discipline and self-control are foundations of success in life, but they are the result of good habits of thinking that must be taught anew to each generation. Blessed is the child whose parents teach responsibility, humility and contentment, while still striving to improve his life and the life of others. These qualities do not lead to complacency nor do they allow for excessive striving. Keeping a balance in life is where happiness lies. Each new generation of people seem to face the problem of maintaining a success. Born into success, puts us in danger of becoming fat and sassy. They forget where they came from and how they arrived at the point they now find themselves. Israel experienced a time when neighboring nations admired them and sent great gifts as under Solomon (I Kings 10:1-12). Israel also fell into becoming the laughing stock of the surrounding nations when they were fat and sassy with no close connection to God.
It is important that we who live in these blessed lands continually remind ourselves of our roots. Winston Churchill stated that we have a guardian angel and a destiny. It seems that is forgotten. We need to remember the guidelines that brought about the democracy and freedom that we enjoy. God has not changed and His demand is constant. Obey His laws and live. Obedience reflects our love for Him since His laws reveal His nature of love (I John 2:3-6,3:4-6,4:8). God’s great goal is to embed His laws so deeply into our hearts and minds that they become part of our thoughts and actions forever (Heb. 8:10). That is the new covenant in Christ. He who consistently does the will of God abides forever in His promises (I John 2:17). The promise of eternal life from God is far beyond that which we can imagine, but He does give us enough to get excited about. Through Christ we glimpse God the Father and as His children, we will be like Him (I John 3:2). May we always cherish the good and never lose the concept of thankfulness.