Hosea 10

In Hosea 10, there are some straight words to the people about life.  This one jumped off the pages at me: “The more money they got, the more they squandered”.  Why is it that when we are blessed we tend to take it for granted and have the likelihood of becoming wasteful and selfish?  Money certainly can lead us to act in ways that lead us away from God.  That seems to be the case here in Hosea’s day and I see it all over America today as well, even when I look in the mirror some days.  When I consider the reality of people in Africa and China compared to those of us in the States, it is pretty obvious that having more is not an indicator of our dependence upon God.  In fact, it seems to be exactly the opposite.  Those who have little really understand where everything comes from.  Those who have much seem to believe it comes from their own hard work.  Oh how wrong we are about that.  People in Hosea’s time were making plans to take their idols to the King of Assyria as a gift.  They had become focused on self and what they had created.  They were all about ME.  God’s response – pay attention here – “I’ll come to teach them a lesson”.  It is 2X4 time for these folks.  How is it people can lose sight of God so easily when they are enjoying some success?  God entrusts us with success and money for a reason, and it is not ourselves.  We are merely stewards of what He has given to us.  It all belongs to Him.  We are given the blessing of being able to take care of it for Him.  The scripture is full of lessons like this.  It is not a new revelation here.  Yet we forget that so easily when we have much.  We begin to believe it is ours and we can do with it whatever we want.  Bad plan people!  God will hold us accountable for what we do with what He entrusts to us.  He will hold us responsible for not only the money He gives us, but all the gifts He freely bestows.  So the real question is – “what are you doing with what God has entrusted to your care?”  The money, gifts, talents, people that He has put in your circle.  What are you doing to be faithful to Him with all these things?  My suggestion is to get on your knees and find out what He wants you to do.  Much better to ask than learn by Him coming “to teach you a lesson”!