Proverbs 30:9

9 If I have too much, I might reject you and say, 'I don't know the Lord.' If I am poor, I might steal and disgrace the name of my God.

Proverbs 30:9 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 30:9

Lest I be full, and deny [thee]
This is the dangerous consequence of riches, and the temptation they expose men unto; who, being full of the things of this world, are tempted to deny the Lord; not his being and perfections directly, but chiefly his providence; to deny that what they have, they have received of him, but attribute it to their own care, diligence, and industry; and now think they can live without him, without any dependence on his providence, having a large affluence of the things of life: yea, they may be said to deny him, when they forget the bounties of his providence; are not thankful to him for them; that flatter themselves with a continuance of them, without any regard to him, as if he had no concern in the affairs of life; see ( Deuteronomy 32:15 ) ; and say, Who [is] the Lord?
as Pharaoh did, ( Exodus 5:2 ) . I am not obliged to him; I can live without him, I have enough of my own; or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God [in vain];
this is the snare that attends poverty; men, for want of food and raiment, are tempted to steal from their neighbours, which is a sin against the law of God, the eighth command; and then to cover the theft, when an oath is offered to purge them from the charge and suspicion of it, they take it, and so are guilty of false swearing, or taking the name of God not only in vain, but falsely, and so become guilty of the breach of the third command. Agur, a good man, is desirous he might not be exposed to temptations to such evils, and especially which so affected the honour and glory of God.

Proverbs 30:9 In-Context

7 "I ask two things from you, Lord. Don't refuse me before I die.
8 Keep me from lying and being dishonest. And don't make me either rich or poor; just give me enough food for each day.
9 If I have too much, I might reject you and say, 'I don't know the Lord.' If I am poor, I might steal and disgrace the name of my God.
10 "Do not say bad things about servants to their masters, or they will curse you, and you will suffer for it.
11 "Some people curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.