TREASURES FROM GOD'S WORD, Week of September 8-14, 2025, “Give me neither poverty nor riches,” Prepared Speech.

TREASURES FROM GOD'S WORD, September 8-14, 2025, “Give me neither poverty nor riches,” Prepared Speech.

“Give me neither poverty nor riches” (10 mins.)

To be truly happy, you have to trust in God, not in riches.

We live in a world where it's believed that happiness depends on how much money we have. But is that true? The Bible offers a different perspective. Ecclesiastes 7:12 says that money can be a protection, but it also shows us that it isn't everything. In fact, God's Word assures us that it is possible to be happy with the basics of life.

LET'S READ ECCLESIASTES 5:12

“Sweet is the sleep of the working man, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich keeps him from sleeping.”

A wise example is that of Agur in Proverbs 30:8, 9. He prayed to Jehovah: “Give me neither poverty nor riches. Only allow me to eat my portion, lest I be filled and deny you, saying, ‘Who is Jehovah?’” Isn’t this very realistic? When we have just enough, we are more aware of our need for God and more attentive to seeking His guidance.

Jesus also warned against trusting in riches. In Matthew 6:24, he said, "You cannot be slaves to God and to riches." The key is to store up treasures in heaven, not on earth. Earthly wealth is easily lost, but the treasures we lay up in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, remain.

Many brothers have found that living a simple life has given them more time to serve Jehovah and made them happier. Some left their jobs to dedicate themselves fully to Jehovah's service, and now have "the best boss there is."

What does this example teach us? That true happiness is not found in material things, but in serving Jehovah with a whole heart.

The greedy always want more

The Bible describes very well how a greedy person thinks. Greedy people are compared to the leech, Sheol, dry ground, and fire. They all have one thing in common: they are never satisfied.

LET'S READ PROVERBS 30:15, 16

“The leech has two daughters crying out, ‘Give! Give!’ There are three things that are not satisfied, four that never say, ‘Enough!’: 16 the Grave, a barren womb, an earth that receives no water, and the fire that never says, ‘Enough!’”

The greedy person lives in an endless cycle: never having enough, always wanting more. But what does that generate? Anxiety, frustration, and, most importantly, this attitude distances us from God.

The apostle Paul was very clear when he said that covetousness is idolatry. That is, it becomes something that takes the place of God in our lives.

Therefore, those guided by godly wisdom are not driven by the insatiable desire to have more. Instead, they are content with what they have and enjoy a life of purpose.

Let's reflect: Am I letting the desire for more things rob me of peace or time to serve Jehovah? Could I simplify my life to focus more on spiritual matters?

Biblical principles can help you avoid unnecessary stress and debt.

The biblical advice on personal finances may seem outdated to some, but it is very wise and practical. The Bible invites us to imitate the ant, which works with foresight and stores away for the future.

LET'S READ PROVERBS 6:6-8

“Come, you lazybones! Go to the ant; observe its behavior and become wise. 7 Although it has no commander, official, or ruler, 8 it prepares its food in the summer and stocks up on food during the harvest.”

Proverbs 30:24, 25 also highlights their wisdom: “They are small, but very wise.”

This teaches us not to live beyond our means. Impulse buying or going into debt for things we don't need can cause us a lot of unnecessary stress.

Instead, when we apply biblical principles such as moderation, self-control, and foresight, we avoid debt, high interest rates, and worries that rob us of our peace.

And most importantly, we can focus more on our relationship with Jehovah and on the things that really matter, like laying up treasures in heaven.

Conclusion

Brothers and sisters, true happiness doesn't depend on money or possessions. It depends on our trust in Jehovah. When we avoid covetousness and apply biblical principles to our finances, we not only avoid problems but also live more peaceful and purposeful lives.

Let us remember Jesus' words: "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21). May our treasure be in heaven, not in the material riches this system offers us.