Proverbs 30:8

Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

Proverbs 30:8 (KJV)

Context

This verse belongs to the “sayings of Agur” in Proverbs 30, a collection of wise sayings offering practical guidance for daily living. The verse is a prayer with three distinct requests, each expressing dependence on God.

Meaning

The first request, “Remove far from me vanity and lies,” is a plea for God to keep the speaker from empty pursuits, excessive pride, falsehood, and deceit. Vanity refers to the pursuit of meaningless things and self-centered ambitions; lies represent deception. This is a prayer for integrity and truth, asking that vain thoughts be removed from the mind, vain words from the mouth, and vain actions from one’s life.

The second request, “Give me neither poverty nor riches,” seeks a balanced and moderate provision. The speaker recognizes that extreme poverty can lead to desperation and the temptation to steal, while excessive wealth can foster pride, self-sufficiency, and a lack of reliance on God. By asking for the middle ground, the speaker acknowledges dependence on God’s wisdom and provision.

The third request, “Feed me with food convenient for me,” asks God to provide what is fitting and appropriate for daily needs. The word “convenient” means “fitting” or “appropriate.” This is not a request for abundance but for sufficient sustenance, trusting God to meet each day’s needs.

Biblical connections

The verse’s logic connects directly to the following verse, Proverbs 30:9, which warns that being full could lead to denying God and being poor could lead to stealing and taking God’s name in vain. This connection explains why the prayer seeks a middle path of sufficiency.

Application

This verse teaches contentment and trust in God’s provision. It encourages believers to seek a moderate lifestyle, avoiding the extremes of poverty and riches, and to pursue truth, integrity, and humility. It reminds us to rely on God for daily needs and to guard against the temptations that come with both wealth and poverty.

Reflection

Proverbs 30:8 is a prayer for a heart that values truth over vanity, sufficiency over excess, and dependence over self-reliance. It invites us to examine our own desires and to ask God to shape our lives around what is truly needful.