In his 1993 song, No Man’s Land, Billy Joel sings, “Give us this day our daily discount outlet merchandise.” The line, like the song, satirises the rise of consumerism in the early nineties, at which the religion of the developed world had become “get more stuff.” Three decades later, the same words ring true. Most people today can’t live without their phone and have an entire world of information and entertainment at their fingertips. But somehow, we aren’t any happier or better off.
Something’s wrong!
Jesus’ words, “Give us this day our daily bread,” are just one small line in the prayer he teaches, but it’s an important line. It’s the only part that asks for material things, and Jesus doesn’t ask for blessings or prosperity. There’s nothing special about bread. But bread is good, filling, and you can eat it to survive even if you have nothing else. Jesus is asking God to just give us what we need to live; nothing more is needed.
Of course, God often does bless us with far more than we need, and there’s nothing wrong with asking! Jesus and many other biblical writers tell us to ask God for whatever we want. The problem is, of course, that there’s usually a big difference between what we want and what we need. On the other hand, there is beautiful humility in simply trusting God to do what is right for us. As Jesus says a little later: “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
James.