Give me neither poverty nor excess
Today's focusAgur asks God for daily bread — enough, not too little or too much — recognising that both lack and excess can pull the heart away from God.
Read
7Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: 8Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
Reflection
The writer of this proverb approaches God with a humble request, asking for a life of balance. He asks to be fed with "food convenient for me," rather than seeking an abundance of wealth or facing the hardship of lack. This prayer acknowledges that our spiritual health is often tied to how we handle our physical needs. By asking for "neither poverty nor riches," the passage suggests that there is a place of quiet contentment where you can focus on God without the distractions that come from having too much or too little.
There is a deep honesty in recognizing how your circumstances can test your heart. The passage warns that being "full" can lead to a dangerous self-sufficiency where one might "deny" the Lord. Conversely, the struggle of being "poor" might tempt you to "steal" and dishonor God’s name. Today, you are invited to seek the middle ground of "enough." When you ask for what is "convenient" or sufficient for your daily needs, you are asking for the grace to stay dependent on God, free from the pride of excess and the desperation of want.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
What does 'enough' look like for you and your household, and how do you feel when you think about it honestly?
Pray
Lord, feed me with the bread I need. Keep me from the pride that forgets you and the desperation that dishonours you. Teach me to trust you for each day.