Daily Bread

When you pray the Lord’s prayer, have you ever wondered what Jesus meant when He taught us to pray, “Give us our daily bread”?

I have heard people say that God gives us what we need and not what we want.  While this sounds true, it does not really reflect God’s generosity.  Too often God gives us more than we need or even want.

17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ( 1 Tim 6)

What does Jesus mean by “Give us our daily bread”?  I think Jesus was alluding to Proverbs.

..give me neither poverty nor riches,  but give me only my daily bread. 

9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonour the name of my God. (Proverbs 30:8-9)

When we Christians pray ‘Give us our daily bread’ we are conscious of our own sinfulness.  Though we have needs and desires, the last thing we want is to disown or dishonour God.

God is good and richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  Why not use the good things in life to honour God and demonstrate his ownership of us?  Why not share our possessions or sell unused ones so as to give to the poor?  Maybe even budget to give more to God.  Our daily bread tastes better when we share it with others.

Denis Oliver