It’s a sad reality that prospering in the present life ends up having a negative impact on many children of God. When the going is tough, many of God’s children look to Him with simplicity of heart and purity of worship. But when the blessings begin to roll in — financially, professionally, in societal standing, and more — the values that have brought them to their affluence are quickly forgotten. Our God is well aware of this tendency, therefore, He warns:

Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, . . . Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’

—Deuteronomy 8:11–17