From Lenae, GEMS Training Manager
GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD
“Two things I ask of you, O 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
There are dangers in living at economic extremes. If we have too much, there’s the temptation to disown God and say, “Who is the LORD?” Before the Israelites entered into the Promised Land, a land of plenty, flowing with milk and honey, they were warned: do not forget the LORD. When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery (Deuteronomy 8:10-14). In spite of the forewarning, Israel did just that. They ate their fill and turned from God, rejecting Him and breaking covenant.
How easily we could point fingers at the arrogant, independent Israelites if their story didn’t have so many correlations to today’s culture and mindset. Jesus warns us through the Word, Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15).
Give us today our daily bread (Matthew 6:11).
There are equal amounts of danger in poverty as there is in prosperity. If we have too little, there’s the temptation to dishonor God by relying on self instead of Him. In self-preservation we are tempted to do whatever we need to do, including theft, to provide for our needs. When we steal, we make an assumption about God – that being, that He really isn’t Jehovah-Jireh, The LORD our Provider. Jesus tells us in the Word, Do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them (Luke 12:29-30).
Give us today our daily bread (Matthew 6:11).
Whether living in prosperity or poverty, living in plenty or in want, the Apostle Paul knew the secret of contentment (Philippians 4:11-12). As did Agur, the author of this Proverbs prayer: Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread (Proverbs 308b). May that be our prayer, too.
Wisdom Step: Rate your contentment level. Make this Proverb prayer the desire of your heart.
In all His dispensations God is at work for our good. In prosperity, He tries our gratitude; in mediocrity, our contentment; in misfortune, our submission; in darkness, our faith; under temptation, our steadfastness; and at all times, our obedience and trust in Him.
Unknown
grace and peace,
No comments:
Post a Comment