When we pray for our own needs and ask for our daily bread, it's not just for our own sake but so that we may hallow God's name and do his will. Few of us are strong enough to handle extreme poverty or extreme wealth in a way that glorifies God. If we have too little, we turn to crime, grabbing what isn't ours. If we have too much, we become complacent and figure God is just a crutch for losers; we can do fine without him.

A wise man in the Old Testament prayed: "Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God" (Proverbs 30:8-9). Jesus tells us to echo that prayer, asking our Father to give us enough for today, that we may honor him.

God set the pattern when he gave Israel manna: Gather enough for today. Trust that when tomorrow comes, God will supply fresh manna; don't try to grab a supply for your whole future, or it will turn to worms. Also, arrange your life so you don't work and gather on God's day of rest, or you'll come up empty. Ask God to supply your daily needs as you work during the week, and count on his generosity to insure that instead of working on his special day, you can rest in his goodness and worship him.

PRAYER--Father, give us neither poverty nor riches, but give us this day our daily bread. Help us to depend on you, trust you, and offer you the obedience and worship you deserve. Amen.