"GIVE ME
NEITHER POVERTY NOR RICHES"
"Remove
far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with
food convenient for me." -- Proverbs 30:8
Agur was an exceedingly wise
man. He prayed to God, saying, "Give
me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest 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." He knew that poverty would be a
strong temptation to theft.
Agur also knew that riches
would be an equally strong temptation to forget God. Therefore he wisely
prayed, "Feed me with food
convenient for me." He wanted God to graciously and wisely limit his
provision to his reasonable, daily need. Agur knew what very few people in this
world ever learn. He knew "the
deceitfulness of riches" (Matt. 13:22).
Cause for Joy
How I rejoice when I see
God's children prosper in this world! I have watched many young couples scrape
and struggle for years to make ends meet. In their poverty they have been very
faithful and very generous to the cause of Christ, doing without many comforts
to attend the ministry of the Word and give to the cause of Christ.
After a while they begin to
prosper, not much, but a little, and my heart rejoices for them. I thank God
for his goodness to them. But my joy and thanksgiving is always tempered with a
sober, earnest prayer. I pray, "Lord, don't give them more than they can
handle. With their increased substance, give them increased grace."
Cause for Concern
I am always fearful when I
see men and women prosper too much! Why? Because I have seen many whose
prosperity has caused them to forget God. It seems that the more of this
world's goods a person has, the more he wants. Man has an insatiable appetite
for money, property, and power. Once he has a taste of any, he seems incapable
of satisfaction. Therefore he will sacrifice the worship of Christ, the glory
of Christ, and the cause of Christ upon the altar of his own lusts for gain.
I warn you once more, as
earnestly as I possibly can, to beware of "the deceitfulness of riches." Do not allow the treasures of
this world to rob you of your immortal soul. Unless God by his grace prevents
it, they surely will.
AMEN.
Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Grace For
Today Radio Message #873
2734 Old Stanford Road -
Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438
Donald S.
Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 859-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net