Self-Made Myth

“You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ 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."

Deuteronomy 8:17-18

SOME ARE BORN into privilege, and others are first-generation wealth. The latter are commonly described as “self-made,” “pulled up by their boot straps,” or “new money.” The flaw in this thinking is God can be completely left out of the equation or given credit after the fact - marginalized at best. However, God’s will is at work above man’s efforts.

The Lord determines what country and family we are born into and what stage in history we live life. Christ creates our physical appearnace, He infuses our intellignece, and He gives us the drive and determination to work, live, and love. To take credit for our success is to ignore the glory of God, to worship our idol of achievement.

“And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything. Rather He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands” (Acts 17:25-26).

The One who designed the intricateness of the human brain determines its intelligence quotient. The One who gave us the feelings of love, anger, compassion, and peace is the One who establishes our emotional intelligence. The Lord Jesus is Lord over all, or He is not Lord at all. So we all bow - the successful and unsuccessful - at the throne of God.

“Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worth, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being’” (Revelation 4:9-11).

Be careful not to settle for false humility as a veneer over the self-made myth. Authentic humility is able to keep Christ as the focus instead of the fanfare others may create over what you have done. The foot of the cross is level for all who will linger there in adoration and thanksgiving. Gratitude and generosity govern a humble heart after God.

Humility prays like the ultra successful King David: “You are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give You thanks, and praise Your glorious name” (1 Chronicles 29:12-13). Work smart and hard, and do your best, giving God the glory!

Whom do I acknowledge as the giver of all good things? Is my humility authentic?