Moses’ Last Words

Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the LORD your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees. . . . For when you have become full and prosperous . . . do not become proud at that time and forget the LORD your God.   Deuteronomy 8:11-14

The atmosphere was electric as the old man began to speak for the last time. He had been their leader for forty years, and it was hard to imagine life without him.

Moses spoke with passion, like a father speaking to his children. His beard had turned white decades ago, but his memory was still sharp as he recounted the years of their journey together; his vision was still clear as he spoke of critical choices that would shape their future.

Deuteronomy records the last words God spoke through Moses. The people were about to enter the land God gave to their forefathers, but Moses would not go with them. He would die before they entered the land, the mantle of leadership placed onto Joshua’s broad shoulders.

Forty years had passed since the people left Egypt (see Deuteronomy 1:3), and Moses reminded them where they had come from. God brought their parents to the edge of the Promised Land, but they had lacked the courage to press forward. Now God was giving the same opportunity to the next generation, and they were ready for the challenge.

As the new generation stood on the verge of entering their inheritance, the great question was how they would handle the intoxicating effects of sudden prosperity. Financial security has a way of sucking the spiritual life out of you. Success brings its own subtle tests; it can dull your spiritual passion.

The more God gives you, the more you will want to keep. Money is powerful, and it can gain a grip on your heart. But God calls his people in every generation to develop a culture of kindness by practicing proportional giving and by exercising restraint. By the grace of God, these regular practices will help break the power that money can so easily hold over us.

For further reading, see Deuteronomy 8