Two things I asked of You, do not refuse me before I die:
Keep deception and lies far from me,
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion,
That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?”
Or that I not be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God. Proverbs 30:7-9
Agur realized the dangers of both wealth and poverty. When we are rich, we can easily forget that everything we have, even the ability to earn an income is from God. We become self-sufficient and self-righteous. The danger of poverty is the desperation that would allow us in our minds to justify theft. When we violate God’s laws we devalue Him and our testimony is powerless. With the right perspective and dependency on God, it helps us accomplish the more important thing… to keep deception and lies far from us. I love how Agur says “feed me with the food that is my portion”. In doing so, he described the great Christian virtue of contentment. Contentment and giving to God and others is the antidote to the disease of materialism.
How am I doing? Is my life true to God? Do I steal? In what ways does my life reflect contentment?
God, as we begin this day, I pray that I will live this wonderful balance. I know every good gift in my life has come from You. Thank you that truth and contentment are values You uphold. Help me do the same.
