In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis wrote, “Prosperity knits a man to the world. He feels that he is finding his place in it, while really it is finding its place in him.”
That is a sobering warning. Prosperity can be a blessing from God, but it becomes dangerous when it begins to shape our identity. Wealth itself is not the problem. The danger comes when our possessions begin to speak for us—when they become a way of saying, Look how successful I am. Look how secure I am. Look how important I’ve become.
That temptation is not new. We see it clearly in the life of King Hezekiah.
In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis wrote, “Prosperity knits a man to the world. He feels that he is finding his place in it, while really it is finding its place in him.”That is a sobering warning. Prosperity can be a blessing from God, but it becomes dangerous when it begins to shape our identity. Wealth itself is not the problem. The danger comes when our possessions begin to speak for us—when they become a way of saying, Look how successful I am. Look how secure I am. Look how important I’ve become.
That temptation is not new. We see it clearly in the life of King Hezekiah.
Hezekiah’s Moment of Testing
Hezekiah was one of Judah’s better kings. Scripture tells us he trusted in the Lord, removed idols, and led the people back toward faithful worship. When Jerusalem was threatened by Assyria, Hezekiah prayed, and God miraculously delivered the city.
Around that same time, Hezekiah became gravely ill. Once again, God showed him mercy and extended his life by fifteen years.
So Hezekiah had much to testify about. He had seen God’s deliverance. He had received God’s mercy. He had literally been spared from death. But then came a test.
2 Kings 20 tells us that envoys arrived from Babylon after hearing about Hezekiah’s illness. They brought letters and a gift, and Hezekiah welcomed them.
Verse 13 says, “And Hezekiah welcomed them, and he showed them all his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them.”
There was nothing he did not show them.
Hezekiah had a golden opportunity to point these visitors to the God who had healed and delivered him. Instead, he opened his vault.
When Wealth Becomes Our Testimony
Hezekiah’s failure was not that he had treasure. His failure was that he magnified what he owned rather than the God who gave it.
Later, the prophet Isaiah came to Hezekiah and asked a piercing question: “What have they seen in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.”
Isaiah’s response was sobering. The very wealth Hezekiah had displayed would one day be carried off to Babylon.
It is a powerful warning for us. Hezekiah treated God’s provision as a monument to his own success. He forgot that everything in his storehouses had first been entrusted to him by the Lord.
Wealth becomes spiritually dangerous the moment we look at what we have and say, “Look what I built,” instead of, “Look what God has done.”
The Better Boast
Jeremiah 9:23 says, “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches.”
That verse names three things people have always been tempted to trust: intelligence, influence, and wealth. We are drawn to whatever makes us feel strong, secure, or significant.
But the next verse gives us a better boast: “But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me.”
That is the only boast that lasts. Not what we own. Not what we earn. Not what we build. Not what others think of us.
Our true boast is that we know the Lord—the God of steadfast love, justice, and righteousness.
Is Wealth Creeping Into Your Identity?
So what does Hezekiah’s story mean for us as modern-day stewards?
First, we should ask whether wealth has begun creeping into our identity.
There is nothing wrong with enjoying God’s provision. Scripture teaches us to receive His gifts with gratitude. But provision should lead us toward worship, humility, and generosity—not self-importance.
When we begin to believe that our possessions prove our worth, success, or security, we are no longer simply using wealth. We are allowing it to define us.
That is a dangerous place for the heart.
What Are Your Possessions Pointing To?
Second, we should ask what our possessions are pointing to.
A home, a car, a vacation, a wardrobe, or a lifestyle can easily become a subtle way of saying, “Look at me.” We may not say it out loud, but our hearts can still use possessions to seek approval, admiration, or status.
Faithful stewardship flips the script. Instead of saying, “Look what I have,” it says, “Everything I have has been entrusted to me by God.”
That shift changes how we hold our possessions. We can enjoy them without worshiping them. We can use them without needing them to prove something about us. We can share them because they were never truly ours to begin with.
Practice Hidden Faithfulness
Third, we should practice hidden faithfulness.
In Matthew 6, Jesus warns against doing righteous things in order to be praised by others. Whether giving, praying, or fasting, He calls His people away from performance and toward sincerity before the Father.
That principle applies to stewardship, too.
Faithfulness is not about being seen as generous, successful, disciplined, or impressive. It is about honoring God with what He has entrusted to us.
Sometimes the healthiest stewardship happens quietly: a gift no one knows about, a sacrifice no one applauds, a wise decision no one sees, or a generous act that never becomes a story we tell about ourselves.
Hidden faithfulness helps loosen the grip of pride.
What Do You Have That You Did Not Receive?
The apostle Paul brings all of this into perspective in 1 Corinthians 4:7 when he asks, “What do you have that you did not receive?”
That question is a safeguard for the soul. Your income, abilities, opportunities, possessions, influence, and resources are all gifts. Yes, we work. Yes, we plan. Yes, we make decisions. But underneath every good thing we have is the kindness and provision of God.
Wealth is a tool, not a trophy. It is a gift, but it is not our glory. So if we are going to boast, may we boast in the One who gave it all to us.
On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:
My mom is 80, and since my dad passed away, she’s mostly just signed whatever her longtime financial advisor puts in front of her. I’ve seen some red flags, including last-minute estate changes involving my brother and me and long-term care insurance she may not need. What warning signs should I watch for, and how can I help protect her while still respecting her wishes?
We have a HELOC that matures about two years after our mortgage is paid off. The bank told us we should always keep a HELOC open because it can help protect against someone fraudulently borrowing against our home. Is that true, or is the bank just encouraging us to keep a product we don’t need?
I’m trying to understand how a trust works. If I buy a $1 million life insurance policy and put it in a trust, can I borrow from or withdraw money from that trust? How does that work, and how would I set one up?
I’m 50 and getting a late start on retirement. I’m contributing enough to get my company’s 6% match, have a small Roth from a previous job, and about $5,000–$6,000 in emergency savings. I have about $200 extra each month. Should I keep building my emergency fund, invest more for retirement, or do something else?
Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources.
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