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Day Eighty-Five

The Prayer for Balance (Read Proverbs 30:7-9)

7 O God, I beg two favors from you;
    let me have them before I die.
8 First, help me never to tell a lie.
    Second, give me neither poverty nor riches!
    Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.
9 For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, "Who is the Lord?"
    And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God's holy name.

Reflection

In a world dominated by individualism, secularism, and materialism, this prayer in Proverbs calls us to seek balance. Agur doesn't ask for wealth or luxury; instead, he prays for integrity and contentment—just enough to meet his needs. This urge isn't a pursuit of mediocrity but a desire for spiritual balance, keeping dependence on God at the core. One of the greatest blessings I've experienced is growing up with a plastic spoon in my mouth, not a silver one. Though I've resented having little at times, I now stand with Agur: thy will, not mine, be done.

We all face the temptation to chase after wealth or doubt God's provision in times of hardship. Agur acknowledges both extremes and asks God to keep him from falling into the traps of pride or desperation. He understands that abundance and lack can lead us away from trusting God. Jesus, too, taught about this when He said, "No one can serve two masters... You cannot serve both God and money" (Matthew 6:24 NLT).

Consider the life of a tightrope walker. To successfully cross, they must remain balanced, making minor adjustments. If they lean too far one way or the other, they risk falling. Our walk with God is similar. Jesus calls us to stay centered on Him, making adjustments through prayer and obedience to His Word.

"The trouble with being poor is that it takes up all your time." ~ Willem de Kooning

This quote emphasizes how poverty can consume our focus, distracting us from trusting God. On the flip side, as J.D. Rockefeller once said when asked how much money is enough, "Just a little bit more," we see how wealth can trap us in an endless pursuit for more.

Agur's prayer is a beautiful invitation to live in balance, trusting that God's provision—no more, no less—is what we need.

Reflection Questions

  1. What areas of your life feel out of balance—either too focused on wealth or struggling to trust God in times of need?
  2. How does our culture's pursuit of "more" affect your sense of contentment?
  3. How can you cultivate a more profound dependence on God, no matter your financial situation?

Next Steps

  1. Identify Areas of Imbalance: Take a few minutes to evaluate whether you lean toward materialism or fear of lack. Ask God to reveal areas where your focus has shifted from Him to money or security.
  2. Practice Gratitude: Write down three things you are grateful for today. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we don't have to what God has already provided.
  3. Set Financial Boundaries: Whether it's avoiding unnecessary purchases or reconsidering how you view your wealth, create boundaries that reflect trust in God rather than in material things.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come to You today, echoing the words of Agur. Help us to live lives of balance, where we neither seek wealth as our savior nor let poverty steal our trust in You. Give us just enough to meet our needs, and may we always be grateful for Your daily provision. When we feel tempted to chase after "more," remind us that You are our portion. When we fear not having enough, give us the faith to rely on Your promises. Jesus, You are our true treasure, and we find everything we need in You. Amen.

May God bless your hearing, understanding, and application of today's wisdom.