God's Word to the Wise

Our pastor shared a story of an American lawyer visiting an extremely impoverished country. He was asked a question by a citizen, a woman of the country. She was curious how people with an abundance of all they need prayed. 

She explained if she doesn’t pray there might not be any daily bread. How then does a person who is guaranteed their daily bread pray? Even when she asks God for herself and family’s daily needs she is left to beg others to provide food, shelter, and clothing. She genuinely wanted to know what one asks God for when they have more than they need of everything. 

Ecclesiastes reveals that when God has granted us an abundance, we are free to thankfully enjoy it. (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20) Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage.  As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God. For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart.

So then my friend or neighbor who has more than me is free to enjoy the fruits of God’s abundant provision. Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” “Us” is everyone. It is God who provides both sparingly and abundantly. Therefore we are all to ask Him for our daily needs. Those who have been abundantly supplied can’t take for granted such blessing will always be theirs. They should acknowledge God’s gracious provision of it and to take stewardship over it. They are not to hoard it for themselves. It is God’s to give and to take away. Those who have much are to consider the plight of the poor and give to mitigate their lot in life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19) “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

My wife and I have more than we need. Our pantry and refrigerator are full. Our closet is full of a variety of clothing for all kinds of situations; cold, warm, fancy, common, work, and play. We have a safe shelter that keeps us warm in winter and cool in summer. Even our automobile is better housed in a garage than many people. Our dogs eat food and receive medical provisions that many would welcome. We lack nothing necessary for life. Yet we pray, Father, give us this day our daily bread and maybe a little more that we might be able to help those in need.