INTRODUCTION

1. In Proverbs 30:7-9, the oracle of Agur records this prayer:

   ⁷Two things I asked of Thee, do not refuse me before I die: ⁸Keep deception and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion, ⁹that I not be full and deny Thee and say, "Who is the Lord?" or that I not be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God.

2. Presently, let us consider these two prayerful requests so that we may see the wisdom of making these petitions to God for ourselves.

    

KEEP DECEPTION AND LIES FAR FROM ME

1. God hates lies, and lies and liars and lies are separated from Him.

   1. God Himself cannot lie as men do (Num. 23:19; Tit. 1:2; Heb. 6:18).  His word is truth (John 17:17), and lies are put far away from Him.

   2. Lies are the product of the devil, and he is the father of liars. Notice Jesus' words to the Jews who sought to kill Him in John 8:44:

      "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

   3. Consequently, God hates lies as Proverbs 6:16-19 indicates:

      ¹⁶There are six things which the LORD hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: ¹⁷Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, ¹⁹a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.

2. Deceivers not only tell lies, but they also mislead and manipulate others with their words.

   1. A deceiver will tell lies, but he will also create false impressions by the use of half-truths, manipulating words, and persuasion. Consider the descriptions of deceivers in these passages:

      1. Jeremiah 9:8 -- "Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceit; with his mouth one speaks peace to his neighbor, but inwardly he sets an ambush for him."

      2. Romans 16:18 -- For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

   2. The devil himself used deceit to beguile Eve (Gen. 3:1-6), and he continues his deceit today.

      1. The devil is still a crafty deceiver.  Consider Paul's warning in 2Corinthians 11:3:

         But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

      2. Satan employs men for his work of deceit as 2Corinthians 11:13-15 describes:

         ¹³For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.  ¹⁴No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.

3. A severe punishment awaits liars and deceivers.

   1. God has declared that He is set against those who speak falsehood and lies (Ezek. 13:8).  He is a fearsome opponent that none of us should cross (Heb. 10:31).

   2. The punishment of an unrepentant liar is certain, for Proverbs 19:5 says,

      A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who tells lies will not escape.

   3. The just end of liars is described in Revelation 21:8 as a part in "the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

4. Therefore, pray that God keeps deception and lies from you.

   1. Certainly, we should pray that God would prevent us from being deceived and believing lies.  Indeed, let us pray that we may receive "the love of the truth so as to be saved" (2Thess. 2:10).

   2. Likewise, we should pray that God would prevent us from becoming liars, deceivers, and agents of Satan.  Let us follow the instruction of Ephesians 4:25, which says,

      Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.

       

GIVE ME NEITHER POVERTY NOR RICHES

1. Poverty has its dangers and can be the result of one's own choices.

   1. The prayer of Proverbs 30:7-9 recognizes the effect of poverty and desperation.  These can drive a man to theft, which is a violation of God's law and a profane treatment of God's name.

   2. The book of Proverbs states that poverty puts one at many disadvantages, causing one to suffer ruin (10:15), hatred (14:20), loss of friends (19:4, 7), and bondage to creditors (22:7).

   3. Many people are impoverished by their own doing, so the person who prays to avoid poverty implicitly commits himself to helping to fulfill his own request and prevent his own poverty.

      1. The book of Proverbs asserts that some cases of poverty are self-inflicted.  Factors such as laziness (6:10-11; 24:33-34), negligence (10:4), lack of discipline (13:18), talk without labor (14:23), love of sleep (20:13), hastiness and lack of planning (21:5), love of pleasure (21:17), use of unfair advantages and oppression (22:16), heavy drinking and gluttony (23:21), and the pursuit of worthless things (28:19).

      2. Those who practice any of these behaviors cannot expect for God to answer their prayers and bless them to overcome poverty.  "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap" (Gal. 6:7).

2. The Scripture is replete with warnings about riches.

   1. The prayer of Proverbs 30:7-9 indicates that satisfaction with riches may cause a man to forget God.

      1. The nation Israel did exactly that after they took the promised land (Deut. 8:7-20).

      2. Affluence has become a plague on our nation as well, for it has left our people with no sense of need or dependence on God either temporally or spiritually.

   2. Jesus gave many warnings about the danger of riches, including these:

      1. Matthew 6:24 -- ""No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and wealth."

      2. Matthew 19:24 -- "Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

      3. Mark 4:18-19 -- ¹⁸"And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, ¹⁹but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful."

      4. Luke 12:15 -- Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."

   3. Likewise, Paul warned of the trap of the love of money in 1Timothy 6:9-10:

      ⁹But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.  ¹⁰For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

3. Therefore, let us ask God for a balance between poverty and riches.

   1. Wealth can be a great asset, but we can have too much of a good thing.  On the other hand, poverty is not a virtue to be sought or esteemed.

   2. Seek for moderation and an understanding of what is truly enough of temporal things.  Most of us will find that God has given exactly what we need.

   3. Regardless of our circumstances, let us learn contentment as Paul did in Philippians 4:11-13:

      ¹¹Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  ¹²I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.  ¹³I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

       

CONCLUSION

1. This prayer challenges us to shake off the world and take on the values of God.

   1. Whereas liars often succeed in this world, they are utterly despised by God.

   2. Whereas the world teaches us to pile up wealth, God teaches us to appreciate moderation.

2. Take this challenge and adopt the prayer of Agur as your own.