{"id":47349,"date":"2023-06-06T16:37:40","date_gmt":"2023-06-06T13:37:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=47349"},"modified":"2025-05-25T11:03:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-25T08:03:13","slug":"give-me-neither-poverty-nor-riches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2023\/06\/06\/give-me-neither-poverty-nor-riches\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cGive Me Neither Poverty Nor Riches\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

Proverbs 30:7\u20139<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cTwo things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die:
\nKeep falsehood and lies far from me;
\nGive me neither poverty nor riches,
\nbut give me only my daily bread.
\nOtherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, \u2018Who is the Lord?\u2019
\nOr I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 Proverbs 30:7\u20139<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

1. A Prayer for Balance, Not Extremes<\/strong><\/p>\n

This prayer by Agur (the author of Proverbs 30) is a rare but powerful example of spiritual maturity. While many of us pray for abundance, Agur prays for just enough<\/strong>. He\u2019s not asking out of fear or laziness\u2014but from a heart that understands human weakness. Theologically, this prayer reflects the principle of dependence on God<\/strong> for daily needs, as echoed in Jesus\u2019 prayer<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

\u201cGive us today our daily bread.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Matthew 6:11<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Agur’s concern is that too much might lead him to self-sufficiency<\/strong>\u2014a kind of pride that forgets God. And too little might lead to sin<\/strong> out of desperation. This reveals a deep understanding of human depravity<\/strong> (Romans 3:23) and the dangers of both excess and lack.<\/p>\n

2. The Idol of \u201cHaving It All\u201d \u2014 Material and Spiritual<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most of us can easily pray not to be poor. But how many of us can honestly pray, \u201cLord, don\u2019t make me rich\u201d?<\/em><\/p>\n

In today\u2019s culture\u2014both in the world and sometimes in the church\u2014there\u2019s a growing obsession with accumulating<\/strong>: more wealth, more status, even more spiritual gifts. But Scripture warns us:<\/p>\n

\u201cThose who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires\u2026\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 1 Timothy 6:9<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And not just materially\u2014this can apply spiritually too. Many people, even pastors or ministers, begin to crave all the gifts and all the titles. But Paul teaches that spiritual gifts<\/strong> are given by God according to His will<\/strong>, not our ambition:<\/p>\n

\u201cNow you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
\nAnd God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers…
\nAre all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 1 Corinthians 12:27\u201330\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The answer is clearly no. Not everyone is called to have everything. Ministry is not about position<\/strong> or comparison<\/strong>, but about faithfulness<\/strong> in your assigned role.<\/p>\n

3. Contentment Is Theological<\/strong><\/p>\n

Agur\u2019s prayer also connects deeply with the theology of contentment<\/strong>. Paul says:<\/p>\n

\u201cI have learned to be content whatever the circumstances\u2026 whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 Philippians 4:11\u201312<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This contentment is not passive resignation, but active trust<\/strong> in God\u2019s provision and wisdom. We honor God not by having everything, but by trusting Him with what He\u2019s given us.<\/p>\n

4. A Servant\u2019s Heart \u2014 Not a Self-Made Spirit<\/strong><\/p>\n

Even Elijah, a prophet full of God\u2019s power, reached a point of deep humility and exhaustion:<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. \u2018I have had enough, Lord,\u2019 he said. \u2018Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.\u2019\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 1 Kings 19:4<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Elijah didn\u2019t see himself as superior\u2014even after mighty victories. He knew the weight of his calling. That humility is what made him usable in God\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n

5. What Does This Mean for Us Today?<\/strong><\/p>\n