Have you ever looked at the times in the Bible when someone says words like “I,” “Me,” and “My,” and then notice what often happens to them shortly afterwards? It is not a pretty picture!
Nabal was a self-absorbed rich businessman in 1 Samuel 25 who said “I” or “my” at least 7 times in verse 11. Nabal asked David’s men, “Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?” He was arrogant and selfish with his things. Nabal would not help feed David and his men when they were hungry. The Lord struck him 10 days later and he died (vs. 37-38).
In Jesus’ parable of a rich man in Luke 12:16-21, the rich man said repeatedly to himself words like “I” and “my.” God pronounced to him, “This night your soul is required of you, then whose will those things be which you have provided?”
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in Daniel 4 recounts for us how he was humbled by God and had to eat grass like an ox. Notice the words of Nebuchadnezzar that precede that punishment in verse 30: “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” How does that grass taste, O King?
The kings of Assyria were very arrogant men as well, and in Isaiah 10 we see the same pattern of “I” and “My” coming out of the king’s mouth. Notice God’s response through Isaiah, “Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it? Or shall the saw exalt itself against him who saws with it? As if a rod could wield itself against those who lift it up, or as if a staff could lift up, as if it were not wood!” God said through Isaiah that He would “punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his haughty looks” (vs. 12). A specific example of this is King Sennacherib of Assyria in Isaiah 36-37. Isaiah recorded that in one night an angel of the Lord struck dead 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, and King Sennacherib was assassinated by two of his sons.
The people of Israel in Hosea’s day were compared to a selfish harlot who spoke of “my bread and my water and my wool…” (Hosea 2:5). God reminded them of the source and ownership of these things when He responded by saying it is “My grain…My wine…and My wool” (Hosea 2:8-9). They would quickly be destroyed as a nation and carried into captivity by Assyria.
There are notable exceptions to this pattern like the prophet Elijah when he was very discouraged (1 Kings 19). Elijah said “I” and “my” a lot, too. However, I believe God viewed Elijah’s heart as much different than the above examples and led him through that period of depression.
So, what is the lesson? Listen to and think about the words coming out of our mouths! It is not your “day.” It is not your “time.” It is not your “body.” It is not your “money.” All we have is from God. If anything is good, profitable and successful in our lives, we must look to God to show Him the glory. Be careful about bringing too much attention to yourself. Always remember to praise the Lord and give him the thanks for all that we have and all that we can do.
For a positive way to use “I” and “My,” read Psalm 116. There are a lot of “I’s,” “Me’s,” and “My’s,” but it is all directed toward praising and thanking God.
What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me?
(Psalms 116:12)