In the 1830s, when Alexis de Tocqueville recorded his famous observations on America, he noted a "strange melancholy that haunts the inhabitants…in the midst of abundance." Americans believed that prosperity could quench their yearning for happiness, but such a hope was illusory, because, de Tocqueville added, "the incomplete joys of this world will never satisfy [the human] heart." This strange melancholy manifests itself in many ways, but always leads to the same despair of not finding what is sought. In the Old Testament, as God was leading a fledgling nation out of Egypt, he warned them of the problem pitfalls of prosperity.  “Make sure that when you eat and are satisfied, build pleasant houses and settle in, see more and more money come in, watch your standard of living going up—make sure you don’t become so full of yourself and your things that you forget God, your God.” Deuteronomy 8:13-14 (Msg) The seeds of prosperity are the seeds of our own destruction. We are perhaps the first nation in history to be consumed by our own insatiable greed and ravenous desire for more, better and faster. We must think through what our prosperity means, what we do with it and how we control it or most assuredly it will control and destroy us. Join the conversation. What difference has prosperity, wealth and materialism made in your life? Seeds of Arrogance: one's superiority toward others “Look at me.”   Arrogance confuses vice and virtue Seeds of Indulgence: What’s in it for me? “Money doesn't change people, it merely unmasks them. If a man is naturally selfish or arrogant or greedy, the money brings that out, that's all.” Henry Ford Seeds of Despair: “a chasing after the wind…” Stewardship being committed to the mission of God Calling: being formed as a holy people Confidence: personally connected to God Control: a purposeful use of resources Contribution: people will see you and be in awe Sermon Notes 10.13.13 Money, Work and Debt Worship 10.13.13 Problems with Plenty