“Two things I ask of you, 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
“The writer asks God for two things that will be important as long as he lives. First he begs the Lord to preserve him from falsehood and lies. He longs to maintain his integrity, no matter what. Second, he requests that God provide his daily necessities, not too much or too little. He recognizes the distinctive temptations that go with either extreme. Too much money, and we are tempted to forget God and trust in our own resources. Too little, and desperation may tempt us to steal. Either way, we dishonor the name of our God.”
Max Anders in Proverbs (Holman Old Testament Commentary; Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2005) 349.
Today I am preaching at Bear Valley Church, in Lakewood, Colorado on one verse: Give us this day our daily bread (Matthew 6:11). Anders’ comments above mirror what a first-century Jewish Christian would have heard in this humble request at the heart of “the Lord’s Prayer”. Jesus was affirming this idea from Proverbs that taught God’s people to trust Him for even the most basic provisions as the place of daily dependence helps us avoid the “distinctive temptations” associated with riches and poverty.
Sadly many people think they know better. They think they can serve both God and riches. They are fooling themselves. I know. I was there. That’s likely why the writer of Proverbs coupled the request for daily bread with the petition to help him avoid falsehood and lies. For years my wife and I stockpiled for ourselves. Don’t do it! Do not store up treasures on earth. Deploy them to the things God cares about. We have learned that the pathway between riches and poverty leads to freedom.