Just Enough

Proverbs 30:7-8 O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. 8 First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither overtly nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.
 
MOM’s perplexed at the dinner table. Larry, the little one, picks at his food. Mom knows he’ll be hungry later, and she’ll need to help him find some food, if possible. Tom, her oldest, eats too much. He’s overweight. Mom wonders how she’ll get him to eat less. He’s always after more. And Millie, in the middle, eats what she needs, no more, no less. Mom has no concerns about Millie.
   This is life, isn’t it? Too little for some, too much for others, just right for many. The Wisdom Writer offers to us a great prayer to live “just right”. Some people think it’s fine to pick at life—never having the right job or right relationships, they are often poor. They rely on others to help them and are a burden on family, friends and society.
   And being rich is fine, but sometimes it makes us “fat”. We consume too much and focus our efforts on getting more. There is no time for joy and pleasant thoughts while we work for more than we need. Too many possessions often causes and empty heart and unsatisfied soul.  
   In contrast, others live satisfied lives. They do what they must do to earn a good living. They have time for friends and family. They appreciate all they have. They use things wisely and protect its value.
   “Give me neither overtly nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.” is a healthy prayer for all of us. Pray it often and trust God to bless you with a “just right” life.
  
A Virtuous Woman
 
Proverbs 31:10 A Wife of Noble Character 10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
 
If you husbands desire to give your wife a great gift, write out Proverbs 31:10-31 and tell her, “This is you, Sweetheart.”
   And ladies, do you want to feel good about yourself? Read these verses and consider the blessings of virtue. Apply them to your life and know God’s presence is enriching your life.
   I know women of virtue. I’m married to one. My mother was one. My daughter is one. My daughter-in-law is one. I say this humbly with gratitude toward God for blessing me with such women in my family.
     I also know women of virtue in our church and from other churches in my life. I see women of virtue in the community.     Such women are easy to recognize. They confess Christ in their lives. They have joy in their lives. They praise the Holy Spirit in their thoughts. They love God, and that love extends to their family, their church, their friends, their work and their neighbors. Yes, virtue is easy to spot. Virtue shines. Virtue glows. Virtue gives a woman a reputation of love and peace in her life.
 
Here are two final comments as we close Proverbs. First, consider these words as God’s law. The wisdom in these chapters defines God’s rules for living well in his will. Pick three or four and learn them as you would the commandments. Write them on your heart to help your heart love God and love others.
   Second, memorize those you a have chosen. This is a challenge for me, too. It will be good to write some of these words on our minds for ready and effective use. Keep them before you, and you’ll be surprised how easily God makes them available to you when you need them the most.
   As you continue on in the Bible, please consider how God is transforming your mind to him. You might not think it is happening, but it is. You can’t spend time in God’s Word without it changing you in some way.