The book of Proverbs in the Scriptures is one that is packed with content and learning. Proverbs 30 is written by Agur son of Jakeh. As I was reading it, I was struck by verses 7-9.

Two things I ask of you, LORD; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. Proverbs 30:7-9

He asks for two things here and it is the second one that I want to hone in on. He asks that the Lord give him neither poverty nor riches, but instead he only wants the Lord to supply him with what he needs each day. I’ll be honest; it’s not a prayer that I have heard people say often.

We have grown up in the church with either a prosperity or a poverty gospel. Some say that wealth and abundance are signs that the Lord has blessed us and that we should expect that if we are truly living for God. Others say the opposite. They think that living for God is to give it all away or to suffer in the name of Jesus, so any kind of wealth flies in the face of a God who had no place to lay His head. Of course, neither of these options seems to fully capture God’s desire for us. Agur is onto something here. He doesn’t want wealth or poverty, and he goes on to explain why. He states that riches might make him disown the Lord because he trusts in his own wealth, and poverty might lead him to dishonor the Lord by stealing to stay alive.

This is an incredible insight. I understand the desire to pray not to have poverty. I guess we all get that one regardless of our financial situation. However, the desire to not have wealth is definitely more of a puzzler!

I have led a fairly comfortable life when it comes to finance and possessions. I have never known lack and although I have never had lots in the bank, I have always had the presence of a family structure that I can turn to if things look precarious. I have always been thankful for that but I recognise that my reliance on God to provide has probably been affected by that. The thought of simply waiting for daily bread petrifies me and reading verse like this truly convicts me. If the Lord give me the option of having riches would I truly turn them down? Would I convince myself to keep them? I’d like to think I would use them for good, but would they be my downfall?

Oh man, I have a lot more work to do when it comes to this area of my walk with God!

What about you?