“Two things I ask of You; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny You and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ or lest I be poor and steal and profane the Name of my God.” Proverbs 30:7-9
Devotional Thought For The Day
This was a favorite proverb for me when I was a young man looking forward to a career and a successful life. It adjusted my ambitions and goals – and I have returned to it frequently. Now, in older age, looking at retirement and the inability to work at becoming wealthy, I again find it instructive and helpful. It reflects the proper attitude of a child of God, willing and eager to simply pray “Give us this day our daily bread” and to leave off worry about the things of the morrow. This is quite difficult for us – we would much prefer to be in the circumstance of the rich man whom Jesus told a parable about, who observed that he had much goods laid up for many years, so that he could simply take his leisure and enjoy it. [Luke 12:15-21] He trusted in his wealth and had no need to trust in God. It didn’t turn out well for him.
There is a reason why the author lumps temptations to “falsehood and lying” with the matter of one’s acquisition of wealth. Often wealth is obtained only through such falsehood and lying, although we consider our little white lies to be of little concern. It is not uncommon for people to fib or mislead on their resume, and we are taught to always present ourselves in the best possible light. Everyone else is doing it, so why should our honesty put us at a disadvantage? This is in part why the “Peter Principle” is so common. The Peter Principle, simply stated, is that one generally rises to his/her level of incompetence. We continue to succeed and to be advanced until we reach a level beyond our abilities. However, if we were honest and not self-aggrandizing, it might be plain to others when we had in fact reached our full capabilities. This would save us and our employers the frustrations of failure, futility, and poor performance – and the threat of many bad things. Sadly, today incompetence is often rewarded by retention or lateral transfer or even another advancement – to get the problem into someone else’s hands.
The author also properly prays that God will not leave him in poverty. We are well aware of the many temptations that accompany poverty – not only stealing, but working at an immoral occupation [selling drugs, gambling, sexual services, or other illegal enterprises]. In addition, those who are poor are tempted to anesthetize their misery with cheap forms of pleasure – unhealthy food, alcohol, drugs, or gambling. We should be aware of this; it is a hideous reality even of life in America, though it is usually hidden away in the inner cities. The personal “empowerment” of gang membership, in the face of poverty and lack of upward mobility, is a dangerous and pathetic substitute for faith in God or even for self-sufficiency. So the infamous Reverend Ike was at least partly correct when he asserted [several years ago] that “the lack of money is the root of all evil” [a quotation of others, including Mark Twain].
Much money also means much responsibility [Luke 12:48], and the more things we have the more things we are required to maintain and fix and take care of. This too can become an onerous burden that denudes us of the enjoyment of the simple things in life, and destroys our thanksgiving to God. The wise author of this proverb prays that God will spare him such concern and worry. He exemplifies what the apostle urges upon us: “Having food and clothing, let us be therewith content.” [1 Tim. 6:8] This is wisdom, but it is utterly contrary to the idolatrous thinking of those who desire to be rich, which is the wisdom of this world but foolishness to God. With this prayer the author asks God to preserve him from much evil, and so encourages us to do the same. May God grant it to us as well, and the wisdom to put our faith and trust in Him and to have contentment and joy with little.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, the ritz and glitz of having many good things and much wealth is ever dangled before our eyes as the ultimate good. We often fear and loathe our personal lack of resources, especially when we are threatened by need or when we desire to help others. Preserve us from the grievous evils that accompany poverty and the ambition to be wealthy. Grant us honesty and truthfulness and a simple life of contentment – that in all things we trust in You and find joy in the small blessings of this short life. Kept in repentance and faith, we look forward to a completely happy existence in Your heavenly kingdom, which You have promised to all who believe in You. Amen.