“Neither Poverty nor Wealth”

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Remove falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches—Feed me with the food allotted to 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 30:8,9)

Here the wise man reflects on the danger of two extremes: poverty or wealth. I do not wish to sound too political, but It seems that current government officials are determined to remove the middle man from our society. Regardless of their agenda, we must be more concerned with important lessons God offers in this passage of Scripture.

Time and again, the Bible reminds us that wealth can lead to self-sufficiency and forgetting God. From Israel we learn that a land of milk and honey can cause one's heart to be lifted up against God. (Deuteronomy 8:12) Jesus said it is hard for a rich man to enter heaven. (Mark 10:23) Paul instructs us to focus on eternity and not uncertain riches. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

But just as wealth has its challenges, so does poverty. I know very few who have experienced the true pangs of hunger. But, the wise man implies that poverty has a way of distorting one's moral compass. Imagine the emotions of a parent witnessing their starving children. Before long the emotion wears them down and dishonesty and greed set in.

Thus, the wise man prays for the middle ground. By middle ground, I assume he means nothing more than the daily bread. God promises to provide the basic provisions necessary for his children to carry out their mission of pursuing his kingdom. (Matthew 6:33)

Actually, this middle ground  is as much a state of mind as it is a state of economic status. Paul said, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” (Philippians 4:11,12) It is more of an inward, not an outward sufficiency.

“Dear Lord, let not greed overwhelm us, but let us rejoice and whatever the day brings, knowing that you are our Father, Caretaker, and Provider.”

By George Slover
 

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