Daily Bread

"Two things I ask of you, O 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."
-Proverbs 30:7-9

Give us this day our daily bread. When is the last time you really thought about the connotations of that portion of the Lord’s Prayer?

Lord, give me just enough to sustain me through one day. This brings to mind the children of Israel in their nomadic years, wandering in the desert, eating manna that God provided. If they ever collected more than one day’s supply it went bad (with the weekly exception of Sabbath day preparations). There was a lesson there for the Israelites that we all have to learn.

For me that lesson began in 2000 and continued for four full years that included my time in seminary, working for a missions agency, and a 9 month season of unemployment. During that time I came to understand that God, and no other person or thing, is my source.

Ultimately this is the purpose for our tithing. It is the regular declaration of our faith that God, not our job, or other financial resources, is our provider. We give him the first to remind ourselves that it is God who gives it all.

Homework this week: Pray, "Lord, give me just enough for today. Reveal to me the numerous ways in which you provide for my needs, financially, relationally and otherwise."

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