Matthew 7:26 (CSB)
But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
Building on Quicksand
Imagine a luxurious, beautiful, house built on quicksand. It's built with all the modern comforts and luxuries, the kind of house anyone would consider to be a dream home. Now picture this house slowly sinking into the quicksand and vanishing. It's easy for us to ignore the dangers below the foundation when we’re fascinated by all the beauty and comfort above ground. That house, my friends, is a vivid illustration of living for this world and its comforts. Above ground the house looks stable, wonderful, a place where anyone would want to live. But go below the surface, to the foundation, and you'll find that everything above the surface is in grave danger.
Worldly prosperity is very misleading; it's a mirage that blurs our spiritual vision. The problem with prosperity is that it makes us feel invincible, self-sufficient, and often leaves us forgetting about the Kingdom of God. Jesus preached a parable about a rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 (CSB). He said, “A rich man’s land was very productive. He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. Then I’ll say to myself, 'You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.’ 'But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?' 'That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.'”
Sinking into Conformity and Contempt
When our lives start to become prosperous, we inevitably adopt this world's arrogant, self-sufficient perspective of self-glorification rather than allowing God's glory to transform us. Our churches become places where we find self-help seminars rather than soul-stirring sermons. Our worship is more focused on entertainment rather than glorifying God. And the awe and wonder of God are replaced by casual familiarity that borders on contempt. Instead of seeking first the Kingdom of God, we focus on building our own little kingdoms of comfort and luxury.
We get a stern warning from Romans 12:2 (CSB), “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Notice that it doesn’t say, “Be transformed by the increase of your worldly stuff,” or “by the comfort of having more material wealth.” No, it says we are to be transformed by the “renewing of your mind,” this is an inner transformation generated by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prosperity preaches a man-centered gospel where God becomes a divine butler, eager to give us everything we want. But the Scriptures tell us in Romans 11:36 (CSB), “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.” Take note, God and His glory are at the center of everything. Our sinful nature will naturally steer us in the opposite direction, and we will begin thinking that everything is all about us, happens because of our effort, and ends in our glory. When we have this mindset, we totally miss the Kingdom of God.
Begin with This
So, what do we do? We begin by praying that the Holy Spirit will help us recognize the dangers of prosperity. Not only material prosperity but whenever we prosper spiritually as well. We must be watchful, be on our guard, against all kinds of complacency, especially spiritual complacency. When we have been blessed, we must keep in mind where the blessings come from. Just as it says in James 1:17 (CSB), “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” In Kingdom living, everything God has entrusted you with is an inheritance to share, not a possession to keep.
I'll leave you with this challenge: Set your heart on being rich in faith, rich in good works, rich in love, and rich in your devotion to God. Here is where you will find true treasures that are eternal; they will never rust or decay (Matthew 6:19–21). So the next time you feel drawn into the world’s trappings of prosperity, remember the sinking house built on quicksand. Pause for a moment and check the foundation of your life, make sure you’re building on the firm foundation of King Jesus, and on His Kingdom authority rule.