Beware of Material Prosperity Leading to Leanness of Soul

by Stuart DiNenno


“They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” (Psalm 106:13-15)

Everywhere today, as at many times in history, we see great material prosperity associated with spiritual destitution — great physical feasting accompanied by spiritual starving, great material wealth in tandem with spiritual pauperism.

It is a deplorable combination. A sadder sight to a holy eye there cannot be than an individual, family, or nation, surrounded with material abundance and yet lean in soul. Matter governing the mind — bodies that are living tombs of dead souls.

But why should material prosperity bring spiritual leanness? Not because it is divinely designed to do so. God does not make a man materially rich in order to spiritually starve him. The design of all His goodness to man is to lead him to repentance and cause him to praise God for unmerited blessings.

Neither is there is any inherent tendency for material prosperity to cause spiritual leanness. A condition of material prosperity is more favourable in itself to a cultivation of spiritual goodness than that of material poverty. The man of a well-fed body is especially availed of having a well-fed soul; the man with material wealth is especially able to secure spiritual treasures. 

But in the case before us the material prosperity was the cause of spiritual leanness. Why? Because the material good was sought as the chief end. How common this in the America of our age! Desire for wealth along with all the pleasures and comforts it brings is the all-absorbing passion, and hence souls are morally lean and dwarfed.

Grace is needed by every man, but great grace is needed by the man who receives his request. It is not easy to carry a full cup, to walk with a steady head and unfaltering step on the high places of prosperity, to have many of God’s earthly blessings, and yet to trust in God alone. The power of earthly success to eclipse faith is fearful.

— Adapted from excerpts of The Biblical Illustrator