In Deuteronomy, chapter eight, verses twelve through fourteen, in times of prosperity and abundance, people are inclined to become satisfied with life on earth and in their material blessings. Affluence brings the temptation to forget God and His commandments, to no longer seek spiritual sanctification, and to fail to grieve over sin and evil in the world.
Moses directs to the duty of a prosperous condition. Let them always remember their Benefactor. In everything, we must give thanks. Moses arms them against the temptations of an affluent status. When men possess large estates or are engaged in profitable business, they find the temptation to pride, forgetfulness of God, carnal-mindedness, and trouble about many things.
In this, the believing poor have the advantage: they more easily perceive their supplies coming from the Lord in answer to the prayer of faith, and, strange as it may seem, they find less difficulty in simply trusting him for daily bread. They taste a sweetness therein, which is generally unknown to the rich, while they are free from many of their temptations. Forget not God’s former dealings with thee, which is the great secret of Divine Providence. Infinite wisdom and goodness are the sources of all the changes and trials believers experience. Israel had many bitter troubles, but it was to do them good.
Pride is natural to the human heart. And they were proved that they might be humbled. None of us live a single week without giving proof of our weakness, folly, and depravity. To broken-hearted souls alone, the Saviour is precious indeed. Nothing can render the most suitable outward and inward trials effectual but the power of the Spirit of God. See how God’s giving and our getting accommodate and apply it to spiritual wealth.
All God’s gifts are in pursuance of his promises. Moses repeats the warning he had often given of the fatal consequences of forsaking God. Those who follow others in sin will follow them to destruction. If we do as sinners do, we must expect to fare as sinners fare.