Hosea 10

Prospering Does not Always Mean Closeness with God

In Hosea chapter 10 we see God talking to Hosea about the condition of Israel. He compared Israel to a vine that produces a lot of fruit and then says in verse 1, “The more his fruit increased the more altars they built.” We see the example Hosea was giving was that Israel was prosperous nation but pushed harder and harder away from the Lord. The truth is, many people may have the same mind set when it comes to their relationship with God.

You know, they may think, “If I only I had this thing or money and then I would follow after you, God.” It may be more subtle than this but do you think if you were prosperous with things or money than you can get closer to God?  Do not be like Israel in their thinking. What happened was even though they were prosperous they grew further and further from God. Having things and being wealthy isn’t necessarily bad but it also isn’t good. Think about it, if you had everything that you always wanted all the time, how can you be dependent upon God for his provisions? Sometimes we need to be in a place of restlessness and need to depend on Christ. Hebrews 13:5-6 says, “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not fear; what can man do to me’?” See it is not about stuff, but about the heart. If you have a lot or a little what matters is the heart. May we allow the Lord control over our stuff, money, everything as he cares about our heart being given over to him.