You may say to yourself

“You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth . . .” (Deuteronomy 8:7,8)

Within the capitalist, free-market environment, there are many ‘self-made’ men, and many who think themselves ‘independently wealthy.’ According to the Bible, no such people exist. Material prosperity never occurs except by permission. Riches accrue by reason of a prior sponsorship. Without the antecedent generosity of God, diligence and creative effort would not avail. All humans, great and small, are first of all heirs and beneficiaries.