“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.”
There are many examples, both of individuals like Henry David Thoreau, and movements throughout the centuries, that have sought to achieve what Solomon talks about in this verse—having neither too much nor too little, a concept often referred to as the “Golden Mean.” There is a ministry we are considering partnering with that helps people in Third World countries achieve this Golden Mean in their own lives and families. These microloan ministries and movements provide individuals with loans, often between $500 and $1,500, enabling them to purchase equipment, inventory, or livestock, with the goal of maintaining a lifestyle of “enough.” These loans seldom lead to wealth, and that is often intentional. The Golden Mean also teaches us, as followers of Christ, how to live in dependence on Him rather than on ourselves, our income, or our possessions. Jesus Himself spoke of having no place to lay His head or call home. The Bible is not opposed to wealth, nor does it promote asceticism. Rather, it teaches the importance of dependence on God. Those living within the Golden Mean often experience that dependence naturally, while those with great wealth must intentionally learn to remain dependent on God. Those with too little may be tempted to do things that are less than honorable in order to meet their needs. Today, focus your dependence on God alone. #BeTheEdge
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7 NIV
