ELEVATED FROM THE PASTURE

"Now then, tell my servant David, "This is what the Lord Almighty says: I
took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over
My people Israel." - 2 Samuel 7:8

Have you ever heard someone say, "He is a self-made millionaire"? They
are stating that this person accomplished everything through his own
efforts. His achievements were a result of his hard work and street
smarts.
David was nearing the end of his life. The prophet Nathan was responding
to David's idea to build a temple where the Ark of the Covenant would
stay. God reminded David of his roots and where He had brought him. God
took David from the fields of pasturing sheep to pastoring a nation. God
reminded David that He cut off all of David's enemies. (David never lost
a battle.)
Have you ever felt tempted to look at your accomplishments with pride as
if you were the reason for your success? Have you ever thought your
prosperity was due to your ingenuity? Has your material success been a
testimony to others that God is the ruler of all aspects of your life,
even the material side?
Joseph's greatest test was not his temptation to be bitter against his
brothers. It wasn't the sexual temptation that came inside Potiphar's
house. It wasn't even the discouragement of years of imprisonment for
being wrongfully accused. It was the temptation of prosperity and
ownership. Once he was elevated, he was given choices that he never had
before. It was totally up to him as to which choice he would make.
Stewardship reveals what we believe about God and ourselves.
Not every man can carry a full cup. Sudden elevation frequently leads to
pride and a fall. The most exacting test of all to survive is
prosperity. -Oswald Chambers
Do you have a proper understanding of who you are? Do you understand
that it is God who has given you the ability to work and achieve? He is
the source of all good things. Ask God today if your life models this
belief.