In a world obsessed with extremes—lavish wealth or viral fame, rags-to-riches stories or minimalist movements—the quiet wisdom of Proverbs 30:8–9 cuts through the noise like a calm breeze:
“Remove vanity and lies far from me—
give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with food convenient for me;
lest I be full, and deny You,
and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
or lest I be poor, and steal,
and take the name of my God in vain.”
(Proverbs 30:8–9 MEV)
This prayer, penned by Agur, is not flashy or grandiose. It’s humble. Grounded. Wise.
A Rare Kind of Prayer
Most prayers today focus on increase—more blessing, more abundance, more opportunity. But here, Agur doesn’t ask for more. He asks for enough. Not poverty, not riches, just daily bread—“food convenient for me.” He recognizes the spiritual risks that come with both ends of the spectrum:
Riches can lead to pride, independence, and spiritual forgetfulness: “Who is the Lord?” Poverty can lead to desperation, moral compromise, and dishonoring God’s name.
Agur doesn’t pray to escape difficulty—he prays to avoid deception. He wants truth, integrity, and a heart that stays close to God regardless of circumstances.
The Dangers of Extremes
Being too full can tempt us to believe we don’t need God. We start to trust in bank accounts, accomplishments, and comfort instead of the One who provides it all.
Being too empty can tempt us to cut corners or compromise values. Hunger, both physical and emotional, can push people into bitterness, theft, or despair.
Agur understood that the human heart can wander in both abundance and lack. So he didn’t just ask for what he wanted—he asked for what would keep him close to God.
Contentment is Power
Paul echoes this same idea in Philippians 4:12–13:
“I know both how to face humble circumstances and how to have abundance… I can do all things because of Christ who strengthens me.”
The goal isn’t to avoid wealth or hardship, but to find contentment and spiritual stability in either. It’s about staying anchored in Christ, no matter what the bank account says.
A Daily Dependence
The phrase “feed me with food convenient for me” reminds us of the Lord’s Prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread.” It’s a request for sufficiency—not excess, not lack. Just enough to sustain us, keep us humble, and help us trust.
God is not opposed to wealth, nor does He glorify poverty. What He desires is a heart that stays dependent, regardless of position.
Reflection Questions:
Am I chasing after more than what God intends for me right now? Have I forgotten the Lord in seasons of plenty or questioned Him in seasons of lack? How can I practice gratitude and trust with what I currently have?
A Final Prayer:
“Lord, remove every lie that pulls me away from You. Don’t let me be so rich that I forget You, or so poor that I dishonor You. Feed me today with what I truly need—spiritually and physically. Keep my heart anchored in You, no matter the season. Amen.”
Cross Mission Media 