Just The Right Amount

Read: Matthew 6:5-15

Give us this day our daily bread. --- Matthew 6:11

The Bible In One Year:
Isaiah 47-49
1 Thessalonians 4

A woman who prepared meals for hungry farm workers during the harvest season would watch them consume every bit of food on the table. Then she'd say, "Good. I fixed just the right amount."

Many of us struggle to feel that way about the resources entrusted to us. At the end of a meal or the end of a month, do we really believe that God has given us enough? When we pray, "Give us this day our daily bread" [Matthew 6:11], how much do we expect God to supply? As much as we want? Or as much as we need?

Health experts say that a key to good nutrition is eating until we feel satisfied, not until we are stuffed full. In every area of life, there is a difference between genuine hunger and having a greedy appetite. So often, we want just a little more.

In Jesus' teaching on prayer, He said: "Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'" [Matthew 6:8,31].

As the Lord supplies our needs, perhaps we should see His provision from a new perspective and determine to express our thanks by saying, "Father, You gave me just the right amount." --- David McCasland

Thanks, O God, for boundless mercy
From Thy gracious throne above;
Thanks for every need provided
From the fullness of Thy love! --- Storm

WHEN IT'S TIME TO BREATHE A PRAYER OF THANKS, DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH.