Today's Scripture
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE:
Verses: Proverbs 30:7-9
“O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.” Proverbs 30:7-9 NLT
What does this passage mean to me/us
Agur was the son of Jakeh. Not much is known about him except that he shared his words of wisdom in the book of Proverbs. The prayer he prays at the beginning of Proverbs 30 is filled with humility as he admits he’s not truly wise but he knows that every word of God is pure. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary states the following about Proverbs 30:7-9: “Agur wisely prayed for a middle state, that he might be kept at a distance from temptations; he asked daily bread suited to his station, his family, and his real good. There is a remarkable similarity between this prayer and several clauses of the Lord’s prayer. If we are removed from vanity and lies; if we are interested in the pardoning love of Christ, and have him for our portion; if we walk with God, then we shall have all we can ask or think, as to spiritual things. When we consider how those who have abundance are prone to abuse the gift, and what it is to suffer want, Agur’s prayer will ever be found a wise one, though seldom offered.”
We live in a society which leads us to think that the more we have materially, the happier and better off we will be. But we know deep down that isn’t really true, for just having things leaves us empty and does not fill our souls. Only Jesus Christ can fill up our souls and give us the love and hope that we need for daily living. We should all join Agur in his prayer to ask God to give us just enough to satisfy our needs.
– contributed by Sarah Pero
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we know that Your scripture is filled with truth and purity. And we know that if we trust You with every part of our lives, you will bless us. Give us just enough to satisfy our needs so that we may honor You every day with our love and obedience. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen
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