“Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you … or become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”
Proverbs 30:8b-9
As a prison inmate, how do you treat your canteen? Do you feel like you have to stockpile? Do you find security in more money on the books or more soups in your locker? Whether you are in the correctional system or not, have you put your trust in your bank account, your material goods, and your financial security? If so, what do you think that says about your soul?
When Jesus teaches us in the Lord’s Prayer to pray for our daily bread, He not only teaches us that we are in constant need of God’s provision, but also He reminds us that we would be wise not to store up more than we need. The words of Proverbs 30 really hit home, don’t they?
Sometimes when we lack what we need, we are driven to deny the Lord through sin. And sometimes, when we have more bread than we need, we feel like we don’t even have need of God. We fool ourselves into thinking we have provided for ourselves all that we could ever want. The wise man will ask God to give him just what he needs in order to be content and ever grateful for all he has.
When Jesus teaches us in the Lord’s Prayer to pray for our daily bread, He not only teaches us that we are in constant need of God’s provision, but also He reminds us that we would be wise not to store up more than we need. The words of Proverbs 30 really hit home, don’t they?
Sometimes when we lack what we need, we are driven to deny the Lord through sin. And sometimes, when we have more bread than we need, we feel like we don’t even have need of God. We fool ourselves into thinking we have provided for ourselves all that we could ever want. The wise man will ask God to give him just what he needs in order to be content and ever grateful for all he has.
Scripture Focus
Matthew 6:9-13
Insight
Having more often leads to wanting more. That want begins to dominate. Let your desires instead be rooted in Christ who generously gives what you need.
Bible In A Year
- Leviticus 15-16
- Psalm 54
- Luke 18
