Windfall

At one point or another, everyone wishes they would hit a financial windfall through winning the lottery, receiving favor in a written will as a benefactor, or winning a settlement. Most of us have noble desires such as starting an endowment, taking care of the family, and/or blessing the local congregation with a monstrous tithe. Somewhere along the way, those who unexpectedly receive a huge amount of money lose their way; sadly, many end up broke, awash in legal expenses and without such a sterling reputation,

Agur shared his thoughtful insights in Proverbs 30:2-3 that anticipate such heartbreak. Brought low by the awareness of inclinations, Agur saw the dangers of having too little or too much. He prayed, "Give me neither poverty nor riches - feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God."

Agur saw the special challenges that come with both wealth and poverty, but also with our tendencies. Each give us reason for caution - and together, they show our need for the One who taught us how to pray. "Give us this day our daily bread." Rather than seeking solely wealth, our desires should be redirected to being comfortable.