Habakkuk 2: 4 Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith. 5 Moreover, wealth is treacherous; the arrogant do not endure. They open their throats wide as Sheol; like Death they never have enough. They gather all nations for themselves, and collect all peoples as their own. 

God is speaking a word of encouragement to the people of Judah as they’ve been conquered by the Babylonians. The Babylonians had an insatiable appetite for conquest and plunder and spilling blood, “They open their throats wide as Sheol; like death they never have enough.” Sheol in ancient Hebrew culture was like the underworld where dead people went. It was as large as the earth and as deep. In other words, the Babylonian need for “more” was endless.

The god called “more” was a powerful driver in ancient times – and now.

The words of the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us today our daily bread” come to mind here. As we trust God for provision (in part by tithing our income) there’s no guarantee that we’re going to have lots of “extra” resources stored up. That makes me really nervous. It goes against all financial planning advice for decades. Yet Jesus’ words would suggest we’re not really designed to live that way in God’s Kingdom. It’s a day-to-day reality at its core. Ask God for what we need today and then ask again tomorrow.

Lord have mercy.