Deuteronomy 31:20 For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.
It doesn’t seem like it should be this way, but it is: humans are more likely to turn to the Lord in times of poverty and adversity, but in times of prosperity and ease, when they “have eaten and filled themselves and grown fat,“ they are more likely to turn to other gods, serve them, provoke the Lord, and break His covenant. How easy it to forget God when we are comfortable.
For this reason, Moses warns ahead of time to beware of prosperity, for when we are smug and secure we have time to turn away from God and turn to the gods of this world to enhance our security in money, seek physical pleasures, and to brush up our reputation. When the Lord has blessed us with prosperity we need to see it as a temptation to forget. So the better response is to turn to the Lord in thanks, praise, and appreciation in all circumstances. Thankfulness is the regular attitude that pervades the daily life of the Christian. It turns us to the Lord, and prays without ceasing.