Abba “do not give me either poverty or riches… For if you give me too much I might start living presumptively, prayerlessly, and disown you. If I don’t have to depend on you, I might end up saying, ‘Who is the Lord?’” (pp Prov.30:7-9)
Dear heavenly Father, this portion of your Word carries a warning that is both well founded and timely. Of late, things, for the most part, have been going really well. I have been in a steady stretch of encouragement, joy, and hope. It is not that I am doing anything differently, or that I have deserved a break. It just seems like I’ve been enjoying a little more of the “already” of your coming Kingdom than the “not yet” of “all-things-new” when Jesus returns.
But this “stretch” of plenty of “leftovers” has underscored how easy it is to fall into ingratitude, pride, presumption, and selfishness. By your providence, I happen to live in a culture and community of abundance—one in which You can easily become a spiritual add-on, Abba. By your Holy Spirit keep me stunned with gratitude, increasing in generosity, and always learning the secret of contentment (Phil.4:10-13). Give me and my friends grace to steward seasons of abundance.
May the Gospel continue to change and re-set the price tags in our lives. May we treasure and trust Jesus more than we treasure “treasure” and trust some form of “enough-ness” that does not include Jesus. Sometimes we pray for “daily bread;” sometimes we could invest with friends in a Swiss bakery. In every season we want to humbly affirm your faithfulness, kindness, and care. Grant us quick repentances from every expression of entitlement, “spoiled-ness,” or an unhealthy dependence on creature comforts. So Very Amen.