In these verses Allah (swt) directs His Discourse to the disbelievers of Mecca, saying:

 (… وَأَن لَّوِ اسْتَقَامُوا عَلَى الطَّرِيقَةِ) (And [Allah revealed] that if they had remained straight on the way …): If the disbelievers of Mecca followed the way of Guidance.

 (  لَأَسْقَيْنَاهُم مَّاءً غَدَقًا… ) (…We would have given them abundant provision): The abundant provision refers to rain.

Thus, if the polytheists of Mecca converted to faith and took the straight way, they would have enjoyed Allah’s sustenance and the the worldly gifts. The abundant provision may denote rain or wealth because the property comes as a result of the sky’s bestowment because after it, Allah (swt) says:

  (… لِّنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ) (So We might test them therein …): Allah (swt) grants the people abundant provision as a trial to test them. In this regard, Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

“There are trials and temptations wherever water and wealth exist”.

So the material possessions are but trials and tests. Whoever seduced by his wealth, high rank or women, he will surely lose and bring upon himself evil.

  (  وَمَن يُعْرِضْ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّهِ يَسْلُكْهُ عَذَابًا صَعَدًا… ) (…And whoever turns away from the remembrance of his Lord He will put into arduous punishment): In the previous verse, Allah (swt) says: (if they had remained straight on the way, We would have given them abundant provision), this is the reward obtained by those who believe and follow Allah’s Way of Guidance. As for those who reject and turn away from it, Allah (swt) will place them into arduous, intense and escalating punishment. Allah 9swt) gives us an example of this severs punishment, saying:

 سَأُرْهِقُهُ صَعُودًا

(I will cover him with arduous torment.) (Al-Muddaththir: 17)

Then Allah (swt) reminds us of a fact that we have to keep in our minds: