Canter Bridge

At the intersection of faith and culture, the greatest miscalculations occur when foolish minds equate prosperity with blessing.

The Old Testament literature, aware as it is of that wealth that comes from YHWH’s hand, is capable at the same time of a penetrating analysis of prosperity’s luxuriant danger. Take the prophet Hosea, for example:

When Ephraim multiplied altars to expiate sin,
they became to him altars for sinning.
Though I write for him the multitude of my instructions,
they are regarded as a strange thing.
Though they offer choice sacrifices,
though they eat flesh,
the LORD does not accept them.
Now he will remember their iniquity,
and punish their sins;
they shall return to Egypt.
Israel has forgotten his Maker,
and built palaces;
and Judah has multiplied fortified cities;
but I will send a fire upon his cities,
and it shall devour his strongholds.

The finest silver makes the best idols. The purest gold adorns them most impressively.

Human history and the idols it persistently erects appear most unquestionable when well bank-rolled.

Self-deception thrives on a fat bank account.