TEXT: PROV. 30:7-9
''Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:/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 my God in vain''
Both poverty and riches are vain liers; innate in these two states of existence, are traps, snares and poison. These seemingly opposing status, lie to the sons of men to their undoing; hence a wise man prays God to give him neither. To be shielded from the influence of prosperity or poverty, is a great help against vanity and lies. In prosecuting this line of thoughts, allow us to consider the dangers that lies in riches, in the first limb: note then, that wherever prosperity comes, vanity and lies trail it. He who has prosperity, is prone to be vain in his thoughts: riches whispers to a man that he needs nobody's help again; carnal security and self-confidence surge up in him. Riches is an opium that lulls men into costly assumption, maintaining in action that God is no longer needed. It is a great wonder for a man in prosperity to earnestly pray: for his riches might whisper to him to not bother God, since all his needs may be as well be met by it. When a man be full, he may denies God by saying, 'Who is the LORD?' Friends, fullness of earthly comforts and enjoyments, are full of deceits: it is properly called, 'The deceitfulness of riches' To be surrounded with gold and yet remain godly, is great mercy: for riches has broken the necks of many godly folks. Riches must be sanctified and de-venom by God's grace, else, it proves a danger to godliness. To be continued.