Ingratitude to God, particularly in times of prosperity, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and warnings about the spiritual dangers associated with forgetting God when material blessings abound. This entry explores the biblical perspective on how prosperity can lead to ingratitude and the consequences thereof.

Biblical Warnings and Examples

1. Deuteronomy 8:11-14 : The Israelites were cautioned against forgetting the Lord in times of abundance. "Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God by failing to keep His commandments and ordinances and statutes, which I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses in which to dwell, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud, and you will forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery."

2. Hosea 13:6 : The prophet Hosea highlights how Israel's prosperity led to a forgetfulness of God. "When they had pasture, they became satisfied; when they were satisfied, their hearts became proud, and as a result, they forgot Me."

3. Proverbs 30:8-9 : Agur's prayer reflects a desire to avoid the pitfalls of both poverty and wealth. "Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion, lest I become satisfied and deny You, saying, 'Who is the LORD?' Or lest I become poor and steal, and thus profane the name of my God."

Consequences of Ingratitude

1. Spiritual Decline: Prosperity can lead to a sense of self-sufficiency, causing individuals to rely less on God and more on their own abilities. This shift often results in a spiritual decline, as seen in the history of Israel and other biblical narratives.

2. Judgment and Discipline: The Bible records instances where ingratitude and forgetfulness of God in times of prosperity led to divine judgment. The Israelites, for example, faced consequences for their disobedience and ingratitude, including exile and suffering.

3. Loss of Blessings: Ingratitude can lead to the withdrawal of God's blessings. The parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 serves as a cautionary tale about the futility of hoarding wealth without acknowledging God.

Encouragement to Gratitude

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 : Believers are encouraged to maintain a posture of gratitude regardless of circumstances. "Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

2. Philippians 4:11-13 : The Apostle Paul exemplifies contentment and gratitude, whether in abundance or need. "I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

Conclusion

The Bible consistently warns against the dangers of ingratitude to God, especially in times of prosperity. It calls believers to remain vigilant, humble, and thankful, recognizing that all blessings ultimately come from the Lord.Deuteronomy 31:20
For when I shall have brought them into the land which I swore to their fathers, that flows with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn to other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 32:15
But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: you are waxen fat, you are grown thick, you are covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 5:7-11
How shall I pardon you for this? your children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Sunday Before Lent
... is not envious nor displeased at the greater prosperity of others ... harm has been done
since it has a rich God. ... or defeated by the wickedness or ingratitude of men ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/sunday before lent.htm

The Importance of Leading a Heavenly Life Upon Earth.
... heart-piercing thoughts of it than he ever had in health and prosperity. ... Christian,
dost thou not perceive that the heart of God is set ... Unkind ingratitude! ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter xi the importance of.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... his rule his subjects enjoyed unequalled prosperity for fourteen ... was as vindictive
as the ingratitude which prompted it ... and Esarhaddon implores the god to show ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... land is the delight of bees, which produce excellent and ... Ishtar, or Nana, as the
eponymous god of the ... dynasty was a period of peace and of material prosperity. ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... The ingratitude of his children had wounded him deeply; he ... and henceforth combining
the name of the god with his ... Book of the Dead, which seems likely to prevail ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

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