Are We asking God for Prosperity, Poverty, or our Sufficient Portion?
What was Agur’s prayer? What does that mean to us?
As we look over the annals, the record of, the chronicles of history we will see what preceded the downfall of all cultures of all civilizations which ended, which saw their last glory days.
The Only Prayer in the Book of Proverbs – Prayed by Agur
“Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither POVERTY nor RICHES; feed me with food convenient for me: 9 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.” Proverbs 30:8-9
“30:7-9 These verses contain the only prayer in the book of Proverbs. The prayer is short and to the point. It contains two petitions, one covering the spiritual life and the other covering the physical life.
First Agur wanted his life to be worthwhile and honest. He didn’t want it to be wasted on trivia. He didn’t want to major on minors, and he didn’t want to deceive others or to be deceived.
As to the physical, he asked to be delivered from the extremes of poverty and riches. He would be satisfied with the provision of His daily needs. He was saying, in effect, “Give me this day my daily bread.”
He gives reasons for wanting to avoid the twin extremes of affluence and poverty. If he were full, he might become independent of the Lord and deny Him by not feeling any great need for Him. He might be emboldened to say, “Who is the LORD?”—that is, who is He that I should look to Him for what I need or want?
The peril of poverty would be that he might steal, and then, to cover up, he might deny under oath that he had done it.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
One man wisely observed:
“The richer we have become materially, the poorer we have become morally and spiritually.”
“Money can make people feel powerful and secure but it’s a false security. They cannot take with them into eternity.” Susan Harrison
YOUR PRAYER: Father, please make my life count for You! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
What was Jesus’ warning ….about earthly riches?
“And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:23-25
“[eye of a needle] A Jewish proverb commonly used to express great difficulty or impossibility. In the large gates in the city walls were small narrow ones, each called the needle’s eye, through which a camel might enter kneeling down if he were unloaded.” Dake
“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, (a proverbial expression,) than for a rich man to go through the strait gate: that is, humanly speaking, it is an absolute impossibility. Rich man! tremble! feel this impossibility; else thou art lost for ever!” John Wesley
“10:23-25 As He saw the rich man fade into the crowd, Jesus remarked on the difficulty of rich people entering the kingdom of God. The disciples were amazed by this remark; they linked riches with the blessing of God. So Jesus repeated, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!” “In fact,” He continued, “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.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Earthly riches: the flesh magnified over the care of the soul which quenched the Spirit.” Jon Crane
“Have you ever wondered where the Israelites got enough gold to make the golden calf in Exodus? Because up until that point they had been slaves for 430 years. And if you read in Exodus, towards the beginning in chapter three, when Moses encounters the Lord as the burning bush, the Lord gives Moses a message to bring to the Israelites. And in that message there’s instructions for the Israelite women to go to their neighbors and ask them for gold and silver jewelry and for clothing. And the Lord says I’ll give you favor in their sight and I won’t send you out empty handed and so you keep reading in Exodus then you get to chapter twelve and in it we see the same thing again. It says that the Israelites did what Moses commanded them to do and so the Israelites leave Egypt wealthy. And the Lord intended for the wealth to be a blessing and what happened is because they were unaware of just how good God is and just and how much He loves them, they elevated the goodness of the gift above the goodness of the gift giver. And they took what was meant to be a blessing and they made an idol out if it and they worshipped it. For the rest of our life God is going to give you good things and they will be intended as a blessing, but we need to remember that the goodness of the things that God will give us will never exceed the goodness of God Himself.” unknown
“Quench not the Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19
WAS it poverty or was it prosperity that destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah? (Ezekiel 16:49-50)
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly (poor), than to divide the spoil (riches) with the proud.” Proverbs 16:18-19
In Ezekiel 16:49, God states that the sin of Sodom was “pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty, and did abominable things before me; therefore I removed them when I saw it.”
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Pride and Excess:Sodom was characterized by arrogance and a focus on material wealth and comfort, rather than humility and compassion.
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Lack of Charity:The city’s inhabitants failed to help those in need, demonstrating a lack of empathy and social responsibility.
What was the cause of the downfall of Laodicea? (Revelation 3:14-22)
We see from Jesus’ letter to the Laodicean church that they were financially prosperous…. and they were deceived into thinking that their earthly wealth made them better than others. Luke 12:15
The church of the Laodiceans: Laodicea was an important, wealthy city. Laodicea was also a noted commercial center, and some of its goods were exported all over the world.
“It is frequently noted that Laodicea prided itself on three things: financial wealth, an extensive textile industry, and a popular eye-salve which was exported around the world.” (Mounce)
Laodicea was known for its:
- financial wealth
- clothing, fashion industry
- eye-salve sold across the known world
These 3 things are ….
“3:15-17 The church at Laodicea was neither cold nor hot. It was sickeningly lukewarm. The Lord would have preferred it to have been extreme in its indifference or its zeal. But no—it was lukewarm enough to deceive people into thinking that it was a church of God, and so disgustingly lukewarm about divine things as to nauseate the Most High. Furthermore, the church was characterized by pride, ignorance, self-sufficiency, and complacency.
3:18 The people were counseled to buy from the Lord gold refined in the fire. This may mean divine righteousness, which is bought without money or price (Isa_55:1) but received as a gift through faith in the Lord Jesus. Or it may mean genuine faith, which when tested in the fire, results in praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1Pe_1:7).
Also the people were counseled to buy white garments, that is, practical righteousness in everyday life. And they should anoint their eyes with eye salve, that is, gain true spiritual vision through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. This counsel was especially appropriate, since Laodicea was known as a center for banking, textiles, and medicines—especially eye salve.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Revelation 3:17
a [I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing] Threefold Laodicean estimate of themselves:
- I am rich.
- I am increased with goods.
- I have need of nothing.
b [thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked]
Christ’s Sevenfold Estimate of the Laodiceans
- Neither cold nor hot (Rev_3:15).
- Lukewarm, sickening (Rev_3:16).
- Wretched. Greek: talaiporos (G5005), enduring toil; suffering hardship, as the most abject slave (Rev_3:17; Rom_7:24).
- Miserable. Greek: eleeinos (G1652), pitiable, (Rev_3:17; 1Co_15:19).
- Poor. Greek: ptochos (G4434), one who crouches, cringes; a beggar. Translated “poor” (Rev_3:17; Rev_13:16; Mat_5:3; Mat_11:5; Mat_19:21; Mat_26:9, Mat_26:11; Mrk_10:21; Mrk_12:42-43; Mrk_14:5-7; Luk_4:18; Luk_6:20; Luk_7:22; Luk_14:13, Luk_14:21; Luk_18:22; Luk_19:8; Luk_21:3; Jhn_12:5-8; Jhn_13:29; Rom_15:26; 2Co_6:10; Gal_2:10; Jas_2:3-6); “poor man” (Jas_2:2); “beggarly” (Gal_4:9); and “beggar” (Luk_16:20, Luk_16:22).
- Blind. Greek: tuphlos (G5185), blind in ears, mind, and eyes. Used of spiritual darkness (Rev_3:17; Rom_2:19; 2Pe_1:9; Mat_15:14), as well as physical blindness (Jhn_9:1-41; etc.).
- Naked. Greek: gumnos (G1131), naked; unclad; stripped of arms; defenseless. Translated “naked” (Rev_3:17; Rev_16:15; Rev_17:16; Mat_25:36-44; Mrk_14:51-52; Jhn_21:7; Act_19:16; 2Co_5:3; Heb_4:13; Jas_2:15) and “bare” (1Co_15:37).” Dake
What was the downfall of the man whose earthly dividends began to multiply? Luke 12:15-21
“Covetousness: the desire for this world’s riches that led to their souls ruin in the bowels of hell.” Jon Crane
What was the downfall of the once “rich man” in Luke 16?
1 Timothy 6
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Fight the Good Fight of Faith
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
YOUR PRAYER: In Jesus’ name, Father please purge this vessel of all wickedness and sin – of self-idolatry, and pride, and fill me with Your holy compassion to be a blessing to You and others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Articles
Stripped and Sanctified with Travis Bryan III [podcast]

“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:10
“God allowed Job to be stripped. And I was also thinking of Jer 1:10. God uses what Satan meant to harm us for His good. Providence. Romans 8:28. As we know he did in Joseph’s life. I could be wrong but in this title is satan getting credit for stripping us?” Karen Cochran
Why Did God allow Job to Suffer, to be Tested?
Job’s Suffering, Testing
“The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.” Psalms 11:5
The accuser of the brethren claimed that Job only loved and served God for what blessings God brought upon him – for selfish reasons.
“Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.” Job 1:9-11
“Job 1:11
a [put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath]
God’s Role in Affliction and Destruction
When Satan suggested that God put forth His hand and touch Job’s possessions, it was really a suggestion that God withdraw His hand of protection so Satan could destroy Job’s property (Job_1:11-12). Satan and evil forces are the agents of destruction, not God. The only sense in which God destroys is to withhold His protection and thereby turn an individual over to the devil to carry out his work upon that person. This truth is plainly demonstrated in the case of Job. Who was it that destroyed (Job_1:12-19) and afflicted the body (Job_2:7) when God permitted it to be done? The answer is Satan, and this will always be the case in instances of affliction and destruction (Luk_13:16; Jhn_10:10; Act_10:38). Satan brings about the actual happenings of accidents, sickness, disease, and calamity, then causes men to think that God brings these things to pass. Thus, He is blamed erroneously for the work of the devil by millions, even Christians who should know better. Permission by God is never the same as the work of Satan after permission is granted him: withdrawing protection and allowing another to destroy is not the same as the destruction itself. God’s work is that of deliverance; Satan’s is that of destruction (Jhn_10:10; Act_10:38).
b [he will curse thee to thy face] Satan’s theory was that no man serves God without personal material gain. If He withheld such blessings, any man would automatically curse and hate Him. This, of course, is not true, for millions have loved and served God without material gain.” Dake
“Job 1:6-12
B. Scene II: Heaven—The Lord’s Presence (1:6-12)
As the story unfolds we are told of a scene in heaven when the sons of God (angels) appeared before the LORD. Satan (the word is Hebrew for Accuser) also was present. When God spoke to Satan concerning the uprightness of His servant Job, Satan implied that the only reason Job feared God was that He had been so good to him. According to Satan, if the Lord had not put a protective hedge around Job, then he would have cursed his Creator to His face.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Hebrews 12:5-12
“5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;”
We must ask “Who am I when everything has been stripped, taken from me?” Job 1:21; 13:15
TODAY, in the crucified life, the mind of Christ, we worship God and serve others.
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Abiding
“The Knowledge of the Holy is Understanding” [podcast]

“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47
A long time friend of mine, after realizing that….
“Thank you for the lambasting.”
“For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:17
“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:” Proverbs 1:5
“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:9-10
“The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. 32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. 33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” Proverbs 15:31-33
“Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.” Psalms 141:5
PRAYER: Father I want the knowledge of the holy. I want to know and serve You on Your terms and no other. Please forgive my sins which include being hardened in heart, being full of pride and rebellion, being therefore unteachable. Break me dear LORD. Let the righteous, let Your people rebuke me as is needed. I want to know, love, worship, and be with You forever. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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Articles
“Called, and Chosen, and Faithful” [podcast]

“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” Revelation 17:14
You are called and chosen of God…. yet are you faithful to Him?
Beware of any false teacher who is not stressing the biblical truth and necessity of faithfulness to the LORD.
Who’s going to be eternally with “the Lamb”?
We are all “called, and chosen” and yet only the “faithful” shall be with the Lamb in eternity.
“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
Lots of people using the word “chosen” to make money by getting views on youtube. Yet few speaking of being truly “faithful” to God. Anyone who repents, receives Christ, and is therefore saved by Christ, and yet doesn’t endure to the end faithful to God, is going to hell (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Colossians 1:22-23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-39; Revelation 2:26, etc.).
This “chosen” word gets alot of attention because many wish to feel chosen by God and yet bring no reciprocating love back to God. And we all know that there is NO marriage without both parties loving on each other—powerfully. They want to feel special because their life is still all about them, not Jesus. They want God loving and choosing them but don’t have time to repent, lay down their life, and follow Jesus via the crucified life. They are all about self and not the Savior (Matthew 7:21-23; 25:40-45; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:4, etc.).
“The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.” 2 Chronicles 15:2
God does not remain in a relationship with any person who is walking in spiritual adultery.
Get that lie out of your system, now.
“But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” 1 Corinthians 8:3
There’s no doubt ever that God is going to be faithful to us.
The question is though: Are we, am I faithful and true to the LORD?
“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:11-13
The Bible word “chosen” is used often today as a buzz word, as if God chooses us because of how wonderful we are is perhaps the implication. Not.
- “called”
- “chosen”
- “faithful”
“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are CALLED, and CHOSEN, and FAITHFUL.” Revelation 17:14
No relationship exists without the recipient being “faithful.”
“Many be called, but few chosen.” Matthew 20:16
Jesus says His flock is a “little flock” (Luke 12:32).
“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32
Matthew 25 is all about God’s calling and choosing and then the eternal outcome of those who obey and those who don’t.
The five foolish virgins are just as “called” and “chosen” as the five wise virgins. What’s the difference? The five wise virgins are “faithful” and the five foolish virgins are not and are going to have the door into eternal glory shut in their face. Read Matthew 25:1-13.
In His parabolic teaching of the talents that were doled out to His workers, what did Jesus tell us lies ahead for those who are not faithful stewards?
Of the unjust, the unprofitable steward that received His gift of one talent but buried it, Jesus says: “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:30).
And then just a few verses down we read this…
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:40-46
Many wish to deceive themselves into thinking they will enjoy an eternal relationship with the Great Bridegroom in Heaven and yet choose to refuse having a “first love” relationship with the Son of God in this time of testing…..
“But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.” Luke 19:27
PRAYER: Open to Psalm 51 in the King James Bible and pray with David.
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