Give me neither poverty nor riches

By Evangeline Unity Esaaba Folson

Remove far from me vanity and lies, give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me.

Lest I be full, and deny thee and say, who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor, and steal and take the name of God in vain.

This is a plea from King Solomon, the richest and wiseth man that ever lived. If in spite of all his wealth he was of the view that riches affect our relationship with god, then we have to be very careful in our quest for wealth.

There are stories about people

Who were very good Christians until they became very poor and started making “shady deals” (Judas Iscariot betraying Jesus – mark 14:44-16)
Who were very good Christians until they became very rich (King Solomon -1 Kings”)
How can remain true to God even when our financial status changes.
Seek to please God in all we do

Psalm 37:4

Hebrews 11:6

Be an example to believers and unbelievers

Matthew 5:16

Hebrews 12:1-2

Strive to obtain the prize

1 Corinthains 25:27

Rely on the grace of God
2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Seek to please God in all you do

Psalm 37:4

Delight thyself also in the Lord, and he shall give you the desires of your heart.

Meaning, if you take pleasure including the commands of the Lord, and living to please Him, then He will give you the desires of your heart.

Therefore, when you are financially challenged, continue to obey the commands of the Lord and live to please Him. Then He will supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 4:19)

If, you are financially sound and even have more than you need, know that there are something’s money cannot buy like good health, peace of mind, long life, these are things only god can provide therefore, seek to obey His commands always and live to please Him, so that He will continue to bless you. For promotion car wealth and prosperity) cometh not from the east or the west…….. But God is the judge! He putteth down one, and selteth up another (Psalm 75:6-7)

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He existed and that He rewards those who seek Him.

You should not seek God or pray only when your in trouble and need His help. Prayer can simply be defined as talking to god. if you love the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul and He is the giver of life and all you need, you do not need permission or a reason to pray.

At least, you should thank God each day for the gift of life.

Be an example to believers and unbelievers

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

“Letting your light shine” involves living a life worthy of your calling or as required by the principles of the bible. Reading your bible and praying everyday, loving God with all your heart, loving God with all your heart, mind and soul and loving your neighbor as yourself. It also requires that you give to the needy, food, clothing and shelter and money for medications etc.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience that race that is set before us looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Always remember people are looking up to you for direction on how to live a good Christian life and please God in all you do.

Do not let weights or sins like an obsessive desire to get rich quickly in order to acquire all the things that will help you live comfortably.

All these things will be left behind if God calls you some day. There is no point is gaining the whole world and losing your soul. (Mark 8:36, Matthew 16:26)

Strive to obtain the price

1 Corinthians 9:25-27

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a complete crown: but we an incorruptible.

I therefore so run, not as uncertainly: so fight I, not as on that beateth the air. But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should a castaway.

The Apostle Paul in the passage above is trying to say that all the things we struggle to acquire in life are perishable:

When Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed through fire all the fine house, jewelry, Gold and silver were destroyed as well as the people

Genesis 19:24-26

In the same way

When the world was destroyed through a flood in Noah’s time everything was destroyed except the ark and what was it. (Genesis 6)
Fast forward, the destruction by flood in the Volta region in Ghana

Lets build treasure in heaven so that one day we can receive the crown of life or eternal life in bliss from God.

Rely on the grace of God

2 Corinthians 12:8-9

For thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me

And He said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

The passage above says when we acknowledge and accept our weaknesses then God’s power is made perfect or more effective in our lives.

For you it might be that you have to accept that you like fame and riches. This is not bad in itself. It becomes bad only when you allow it to influence your relationship with God. You cannot love both God and mammon.

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