Submitted by Pastor Richard Boettner, Rock Port Baptist Church

7 Two things I ask of you; don’t deny them to me before I die: 8 Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor wealth; feed me with the food I need. 9 Otherwise, I might have too much and deny you, saying, “Who is the Lord?” or I might have nothing and steal, profaning the name of my God – (Proverbs 30:7-9 CSB)

During the winter months we may find contentment a challenge as life seems cold, dark, and slow, with more illness and trials. Perhaps to do a little self-examination it might be good to look at the passage of Scripture above and then finish this sentence: I would be really happy if only I had ___________.

The way each of us might fill in this blank gives us an honest appraisal of our life and unmet longings that can foster disappointment or a lack of personal satisfaction. These longings should also prompt us to pray and seek God’s provision in the future for new blessings that He might be ready to give us.

The writer of Proverbs 30 is Agur. We really don’t know who he was, but it appears that he was a man of prayer because he gives us the only prayer in Proverbs. This appears to be a simple prayer, but it is actually very profound.

Agur only asked God for two things in this prayer. First, he asked that God keep falsehood and deceitful words far from him. Dissatisfaction in life can often come from those who speak lies or deceit to us. But Agur may have also meant that God would not permit him to be the one who might cause the falsehood. Either way, we would say that Agur desired a life of honesty and integrity. Perhaps he was known by others as a trusted person who made good business transactions free from unnecessary pressure or any kind of selfish manipulation.

Second, Agur asked for financial balance in his life. While asking just for what he needed he prayed to avoid the extremes of too much or too little. Poverty could lead to stealing, and wealth could lead to forgetting or denying his need for God. Either extreme could damage his reputation and hinder the experience of God in his relationships, and in his own spiritual relationship with God.

Contentment is always somewhere in the middle, thanking God for His blessings, providing service to others with integrity, and not losing sight that God is the Source with everything coming from His hand of gracious provision.

Along with contentment it is good to remember the exhortation of the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 6:6 that “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” There is also Scriptural instruction given on how to handle too much or too little if it happens in my life.

Should I be in a place of abundance consider generosity: “Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share, storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Should I be in a place of need consider prayer and living by faith: “Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Didn’t God choose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?” (James 2:5).

Also, consider Psalm 34:6: “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him from all his troubles.”

May God give us His wisdom to live in contentment with His provision. As always feel free to contact me with any questions or comments at rockportbaptistchurch.com.