“O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.” Proverbs 30:7-9 NLT
The writer here asks two things from God. He has learned the blessing of economy in his relationship with God. There are times for us to expand things out and look at multiple aspects of a live lived for God’s glory. and these two things are two principles we should remember to live a happy life and one that is founded on sound biblical footing. This request is vital because the writer says here that these two things are things he does not want God to refuse him before he dies. That is the last thing we can learn from this man – he is passionate about his request.
“Do not refuse me before I die!” This is the way the writer expresses the intensity of his desire. Lord, there are two things I must have. I must have them before I die! There is a passion here that often is missing in ordinary Christians. This guy does not want to end his life without knowing and having walked out two things: to walk in the truth always – and to experience contentment. As he seeks the Lord for these things, he does so with a hunger that is inspiring. He knows one thing – that falsehood does not lead to a good end in life – and that running after this world does not either. He is chasing after something much different and much more satisfying.
We so desperately need to embrace what this writer is expressing in our lives. Do you know and can you enumerate a few things – no more than three that you absolutely must have in life? Is there a higher purpose for living in your life than just making it through life? Are you bored – unchallenged by life and the goal for which you are living, or the lack thereof? Make the time to get alone with God and hash out what really matters in your life. Find in Him and in His purposes a reason to live! Then, rather than just having life go by as you watch confused as to its purpose, you can go out every day and aggressively give yourself to a purpose that goes far beyond life itself – it goes gloriously into eternity!
Jesus spoke more about money than heaven and earth combined. It is important to have the right relationship with money or it may ruin your life. You may fall into one of two extremes, chasing or stealing. Both come from a sinful heart.
The writer of Proverbs wisely asks. Let me have just enough. Just enough so I am not money focused or consumed. In the end, it isn’t a money issue, it is a heart issue. We need to be careful to keep our hearts away from greed.
The best way to describe the danger of greed is by sharing the answer of John Rockefeller; a man who was very wealthy. When he was asked how much money it would take for him to be content. His answer was telling because it did not refer to a specific, fixed amount. He said, “Just a little more.” There is the danger of greed. No amount is enough because we will be deceived into thinking that a little more will give us the illusive happiness that we seek from money. Our problem is that we were not made for money. Elsewhere in Scripture we are warned that when we set our eyes on wealth – it takes wings and flies to the heavens – it is always just a little beyond our reach. This pursuit will take forever – and will never end in contentment. The truth is that we were made for God – and until we find our contentment in Him – we will never be truly content.
The writer of Proverbs cries out and asks for neither poverty nor riches. He knows that both of those situations leave him in want. Poverty in a want for enough – and riches in a want for just a little more. What he asks for is the food that is his portion. Ah, a wise man he is indeed. His words parallel those of Jesus in His teaching on prayer. “Give us THIS DAY our DAILY BREAD!” There is wisdom – give me what I need today – and keep me in need of only one thing constantly. Keep me constantly needing You, Lord! That is the prayer of the wise man.
This week pray for the Lord to give you your daily bread and keep you from poverty or riches.
In His Hands,
John
