“Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion. Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God.”
In plain words: The writer asks God to keep lies far from him and to give him just enough to live on, not too little and not too much, so that he never forgets God or ends up dishonoring Him.
What Proverbs 30:8-9 means.
The writer asks God for neither poverty nor riches, only daily bread, so he won’t forget God or dishonor Him. Balance protects the soul.
Common questions about Proverbs 30:8-9
What does "the bread that is my portion" mean?
Bread stands for the food and basic things we need to live. "Portion" means the share we are given for each day. The writer is not asking for a fancy life, and he is not asking for nothing. He is asking for enough. Jesus taught His followers to pray in a similar way in Matthew 6:11, asking for daily bread. It is a prayer of trust. It says, "God, I need You today, and I believe You care about what I need."
Apply it today: Thank God today for one thing you have that meets a real need, like a meal, a bed, or a friend.
Is it wrong to be rich?
No. The Bible does not say money is evil. This writer is worried about what having too much can do to a heart. When life is easy and our hands are full, we can start to feel we don't need God. He says that could lead him to ask, "Who is the LORD?" in Proverbs 30:9. In 1 Timothy 6:17, rich people are told not to trust in their money but to put their hope in God, who gives us good things to enjoy. The danger is not money itself. It is where we place our trust.
Apply it today: Ask yourself where your trust goes when life is going well, and tell God honestly what you find.
If I'm struggling to get by, does this mean I've done something wrong?
No. Hard times do not prove you have failed or that God is angry with you. The writer is simply honest that poverty is painful and can push anyone toward desperate choices. He is not looking down on people who have little. He is admitting how weak we all can be. Scripture also tells God's people to care for those in need. Proverbs 19:17 says that being kind to the poor is like lending to the LORD. You can bring your needs to God, and it is wise to let people around you help too.
Apply it today: Tell God one real need you have today, and share it with someone you trust.
Ask anything about it.
Every question gets a clear answer in seconds, and a way to live it today.
Live it today.
Pray over your money goals today and ask God to keep your heart humble as they grow.
Pray it back.
Lord, give me what I need, and keep my heart close to You at every level.
Carry it all day.
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