When Success Makes Us Forget God: Learning Humility and Trust
The readings from Ezekiel 28:1–10, Deuteronomy 32:26–28, 30, 35–36, and Matthew 19:23–30 give us an important warning about pride, wealth, revenge, and depending too much on ourselves. They also remind us that everything we have ultimately comes from God.
Pride Can Make Us Think We Don't Need God
In Ezekiel 28:1–10, the prince of Tyre had become powerful, wealthy, and proud. His pride became so great that he said:
“I am a god.” — Ezekiel 28:2
This is what pride can eventually do to us. We may not literally say that we are God, but we can start living as though we don't need Him.
When we become successful, we may think:
“I worked hard for this.”
“I achieved everything by myself.”
“I am where I am because of my own intelligence and strength.”
Working hard and being successful are not wrong. Having money is not automatically sinful either. The danger begins when we forget where our abilities, opportunities, health, and life itself came from.
Everything ultimately comes from God.
The Catechism reminds us that creation remains dependent upon the Creator and that God continues to sustain and guide His creation (CCC 301–302).
Instead of becoming proud when things go well, we should learn to say:
“Thank you, Lord, for everything You have given me.”
Don't Forget What God Has Done for You
In Deuteronomy 32:26–28, we see another danger: forgetting God.
This can easily happen in our own lives.
When we are going through difficulties, we may pray constantly:
“Lord, please help me.”
But once the problem is solved and life becomes comfortable again, sometimes we slowly stop praying.
We forget how God helped us through difficult times.
We forget the people God placed in our lives.
We forget the blessings we received.
We can even start thinking that everything happened because of our own strength.
Humility helps us remember:
I worked hard, but God gave me the ability to work.
I made decisions, but God gave me life and opportunities.
I achieved something, but I still need God's grace.
We should never become so comfortable with God's blessings that we forget the One who gave them to us.
“Vengeance Is Mine”
Deuteronomy also gives us another powerful teaching:
“Vengeance is mine.” — Deuteronomy 32:35
When somebody hurts us, our natural reaction may be to hurt them back.
We might think:
“One day they will get what they deserve.”
But God tells us not to take revenge into our own hands.
This doesn't mean we should ignore injustice. We can defend ourselves, protect others, report wrongdoing, and seek justice through proper means.
But justice and revenge are not the same thing.
Revenge comes from wanting another person to suffer because they made us suffer.
As Christians, we are called to leave final judgment to God.
Jesus even teaches us:
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” — Matthew 5:44
The Catechism reminds us that deliberate hatred is contrary to Christian charity (CCC 2303).
God is perfectly just. He knows the person's heart, circumstances, actions, and intentions far better than we ever could.
Our responsibility is to pray, forgive, seek what is right, and leave final judgment to Him.
When Possessions Become More Important Than Jesus
In Matthew 19:23–30, Jesus speaks about how difficult it can be for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus is not saying that being rich is automatically sinful.
The danger is becoming attached to wealth.
Money can slowly become our security.
We may begin thinking:
“I have enough money. I don't need anyone.”
Or even:
“I don't really need God because my life is already good.”
This is where wealth becomes spiritually dangerous.
The Catechism teaches:
“The Lord grieves over the rich, because they find their consolation in the abundance of goods.” — CCC 2547
The important question isn't simply:
“How much money do I have?”
A better question is:
“How much does my money have me?”
A person can have little money and still be obsessed with possessions.
Another person can be wealthy but remain humble, generous, charitable, and completely dependent upon God.
The problem is not simply possessing things.
The problem begins when our possessions possess our hearts.
“With God All Things Are Possible”
The disciples were shocked by Jesus' teaching and asked:
“Who then can be saved?” — Matthew 19:25
Jesus answered:
“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” — Matthew 19:26
This is one of the most beautiful parts of today's Gospel.
We cannot save ourselves.
We cannot become holy simply through our own strength.
We need God's grace.
The Catechism teaches:
“The grace of Christ is the gratuitous gift that God makes to us of his own life.” — CCC 1999
We should therefore pray for God's grace to help us overcome our pride, greed, anger, jealousy, desire for revenge, and attachment to earthly things.
Sometimes we know something in our life needs to change, but we struggle to change it.
That is when we should pray:
“Lord, I cannot do this alone. Give me the grace to change.”
Store Your Treasure in Heaven
Everything we own in this world is temporary.
Our money, houses, cars, possessions, careers, titles, achievements, and social status will eventually be left behind.
Jesus tells us:
“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” — Matthew 6:20
Our greatest treasure should therefore be Jesus Christ.
This doesn't mean we cannot enjoy the good things God gives us.
It means keeping them in the correct order.
God comes first.
Everything else comes after Him.
Money should serve us; we should not serve money.
Our talents should glorify God.
Our success should make us grateful rather than proud.
Our possessions should help us do good rather than pull us away from Christ.
And when God blesses us, instead of saying:
“Look what I have achieved.”
Perhaps we should first say:
“Thank You, Lord, for bringing me this far.”
Reflection Questions
When something good happens in my life, do I remember to thank God?
Have I ever thought that my success came entirely from my own strength?
Is there anything in my life that has become more important to me than Jesus?
Am I becoming too attached to money, possessions, status, or recognition?
When someone hurts me, do I seek revenge, or do I entrust justice to God?
Have I forgotten some of the things God has already done for me?
Do I use the blessings God has given me to help others?
When I struggle to change, do I ask God for His grace?
If I lost my possessions and achievements, would Jesus still be my greatest treasure?
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
thank You for everything You have given me.
Protect my heart from pride and help me remember that every good gift comes from You.
Teach me not to place money, possessions, success, or status above You.
When others hurt me, help me to forgive and leave justice in Your hands.
Give me the grace to remain humble, generous, and faithful.
May Jesus always be the center of my life and my greatest treasure.
Help me to store up treasure in Heaven and one day lead me into Your eternal Kingdom.
Amen.
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