Deuteronomy 8:17
“and lest you say in your heart, “My power and the might of my hand has gotten me this wealth.””
What does Deuteronomy 8:17 mean?
Moses is warning the Israelites against a dangerous kind of pride, one that creeps in so quietly you might not even notice it. After they've worked hard and built successful lives in the promised land, they'll face the temptation to believe they did it all themselves, forgetting that God provided the opportunity, health, abilities, and resources in the first place. It's easy to look at our accomplishments and let our hearts swell with the thought that we earned everything through our own strength alone. Moses wants them to remember that while hard work matters, attributing all success solely to ourselves cuts us off from gratitude and from recognizing God's hand in our lives, which actually opens the door to all kinds of problems including selfishness and spiritual emptiness.