The Danger of Affluence

Are you depending on the Lord?

Our founder, the late Larry Burkett, said that affluence presents the greatest threat to our walk with the Lord. Affluence can be a subtle spiritual danger because it creates the illusion of independence. When resources are plentiful, needs are being met, and life feels secure. It becomes easy to rely on what we have. People feel they have more control when they’re financially stable. Bills are paid, savings are growing, and future plans seem predictable. Instead of seeking God for provision, a growing dependence on income, investments, and personal ability can take over.

Scripture warns about this in Deuteronomy 8. God cautions His people not to forget Him once they become prosperous. Wealth, however, is not the problem. It’s that wealth can lead to self-sufficiency. When everything seems to be going well, prayer can become less urgent, gratitude less intentional, and trust less active. Affluence can dull the awareness of needs in our own lives. We can lose sight of how much we truly rely on God for everything. It can also reduce our sensitivity to those who are struggling, leading to less generosity and compassion.

Success and financial stability can begin to define how we see ourselves. Instead of finding worth in Christ, we find it in what we build or accumulate. Choosing gratitude, practicing generosity, and regularly acknowledging God as the true source of our provision will help guard our heart.

Now, this September, we’re celebrating all that God has done through Crown for the past 50 years. Come join us September the 10th through the 12th in Knoxville, Tennessee. Learn more at crown.org/50years.