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Grace and Wisdom for Seasons When Things Are Going Well

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. Prov. 30:7-9 (NIV)

Heavenly Father, this portion of your Word carries a well-founded, yet easily-ignored warning. By your providence, most of us live in cultures of plenty—communities in which few of us actually have to pray for “daily bread,” or face the temptation to steal to provide for our families.

First of all, we say thank you. What do we have that we have not received from you? Even the ability to work comes from you, Father. We don’t get what we earn, but that which you sovereignly provide for us. May we never forget.

But as for the heartbeat and “gist” of this prayer, it can only be prayed by someone alive to the riches of the gospel and secure in your love. Someone who has learned the seductive, soul-desensitizing, heart-numbing power of money, stuff, and privilege.

Make us such a people, Father. May Jesus become more and more precious to us. May our love for you, in response to your love for us, be the most compelling and transforming reality in our lives. May the thought of dishonoring you bring us to quick repentances and grace-full living.

By your Holy Spirit, help us grow in humility, gratitude, and generosity. May the gospel continue to challenge, change and re-set the price tags in our lives. Free us from entitlement and presumption, spoiled-ness or an unhealthy dependence on creature comforts. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ exalted and treasure-worthy name.

 

 

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