Daily refelction _ give me neither poverty nor riches

GIVE ME NEITHER POVERTY NOR RICHES;
PROVIDE ME ONLY WITH THE FOOD I NEED
When Jesus sends His disciples on a missionary journey, He doesn't want them to take all kinds of provisions with them. His intention is for them to learn complete dependence on God.  
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
Today's first reading contains a very brief prayer. Half of it is easy to say and mean, but the other half is very difficult. We pray, "Lord, give me neither poverty nor riches" (Prv 30:8). Nobody wants to live in poverty, but riches may be another matter. The wise author of the Book of Proverbs asks God to only provide him with the necessities of life. Riches frighten him, and for good reason. In fact, Jesus Himself gives stern warnings about the danger of riches. For the affluent it is much too easy to think that they can be independent of God. When Jesus sends His disciples on a missionary journey, He doesn't want them to take all kinds of provisions with them. His intention is for them to learn complete dependence on God.
Our Gospel reading from St. Luke tells us that Jesus sends the Twelve out, giving them power and authority to overcome demons and to cure the sick. He sends them to proclaim the reign of God and to heal. We might possibly wonder what chances these uneducated band of disciples ever have of success in the world as they are sent out by Jesus to preach and to heal. How prepared could they be to leave the companionship of Jesus and venture forth without even a walking stick or traveling bag and no bread or money? They must be scared to death!
For the most part, we might judge those whom Jesus sends as "slow learners." However, recall the miracles of healing and forgiveness they have witnessed, and most of all consider their relationship with Jesus, Whose love they know intimately. These men, afraid and still weak in faith, are being sent ready or not! As we reflect on these readings don't we, as disciples of Jesus in this modern time, have the same mission today? By our baptism and confirmation we too are sent by Jesus to proclaim the Gospel of God's Kingdom and to attend to those wounded both physically and spiritually, and to love all.
We join with the psalmist today in protesting to God, "The law of Your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces" (Ps 119:72). Do we really mean that? The expression "Law of God," in the Bible means "God's will." We are called to surrender our wills to God's will like Jesus did, "Not My will, but Yours be done" (Lk 22:42). We need to say this often!
God does not want us to live in destitution so that we must literally wonder where our next meal will be coming from. This way of surviving is not His will. But He does want us to recognize that He is the Source of every good gift. He is happy to respond to our sincere prayer, "Lord, give me neither poverty nor riches" (ibid).