In Hosea 4 we read of the negative example of Israel. God describes Israel by saying “the more they increased, the more they sinned against me… they shall eat, but not be satisfied.” God’s response to this behaviour is equally negative “I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.” This is an especially harsh sentence, since God describes himself as “merciful and gracious, slow to anger”
The warning is relevant to us living in a land of prosperity. It’s so easy to rely on the things we see around us, rather than trusting in God. Let’s instead be like Paul, “serving the Lord with all humility”. Paul was interested only in the ministry that he’d received from Christ, “to testify to the gospel of the grace of God”, and this is our calling also.