A PRAYER FOR CONTENTMENT IN A MATERIALISTIC WORLD

I would like to share some relevant thoughts about the only prayer found in the Book of Proverbs. Agur's requests reveal a heart that places material prosperity and success in their proper places. We know nothing about Agur and the people he wrote to, other than that this is part of wisdom literature which emphasizes how to live skillfully on this earth as God intended.

In the first part of Agur's prayer (Proverbs 30:2-4), we note the humility of this man as contrasted to the greatness of God. In verses 2 and 3, Agur admits his ignorance and lack of understanding of God. In verse 4, through a series of five questions, Agur affirms God's inexhaustible power and His unsearchable Person. In addition to acknowledging God as transcendent-beyond and not limited by His creation, Agur then declares his loyalty to the purity and preservation of God's Word (v. 5) The encouraging result is that “He (God) is a shield to those who take refuge in Him” (v. 5b). Why do I not trust Him more and sometimes think I know better? His plan becomes my shelter and security! Agur exhorts us not to add to His words (v. 6.)

Agur's prayer is found in verses 8-9, where he asked God to protect him from dishonesty and to keep him from the temptations of riches or poverty. Keep deception and lies far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, that I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the LORD?" Or that I not be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God (Proverbs 30:8-9). 

Agur states two reasons for his second request: prosperity might lead him to self-reliance and denial of God's role in his life, and poverty might lead him to a life of desperation that involves stealing from others (v. 9).

Agur openly confessed that lack of integrity, prosperity, and need had the potential to become hindrances to his relationship with God. Therefore, he was willing to live more simply with contentment to maintain that relationship and bring God glory. David Branon, in the November-December 1986 “Discovery Digest” page 11, says: “Contentment is the sufficiency that the Christian feels because he is satisfied with the situation in which God has placed him. Being content comes as a result of a close fellowship with God and a total dependence on God's perfect plan and purpose.”

Here is the request of a wise man because it deals with two things that will derail a life that is seeking to be guided by God. It deals with deception and greed. As you seek to walk through this world in a way that pleases and honors God, be on guard against these snares that often will cause you to stumble.

Here are some application questions to ponder:

Am I free of falsehood and lies?

Is my typical need to pray for more prosperity or to pursue God and let Him provide the life He has chosen for me?

Is my greatest concern my own welfare, or that my life would continually bring honor to God?

Am I content with what God has so graciously given me, or have I allowed the world to squeeze me into its mold?