Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: convenient...: Heb. of my allowance Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. deny...: Heb. belie thee - Proverbs 30:8-9
Most of us have never known what it means to be in poverty and want, but have lived in reasonable comfort all our lives. If I or my children were hungry, cold, and forced to live in a one-room shack, I might put forth my hand and steal or even curse the providence of God. On the other hand, I have seen what money, fame, and power can do to a proud human heart. I’m not sure that I could deal with the temptation of a full purse.
My prayer, then, is like the above prayer of Agur, “Give me neither poverty nor riches, feed me with what I really need and in your wise providence is best for me.” I do not know which holds the greater temptation, poverty or plenty. I do know what’s best for all of us—to have neither!
“Be content with what you have and avoid covetousness, which is idolatry.”
About Henry Mahan
Henry T. Mahan was born in Birmingham, Alabama in August 1926. He joined the United States Navy in 1944 and served as a signalman on an L.S.T. in the Pacific during World War II. In 1946, he married his wife Doris, and the Lord blessed them with four children.
At the age of 21, he entered the pastoral ministry and gained broad experience as a pastor, teacher, conference speaker, and evangelist. In 1950, through the preaching of evangelist Rolfe Barnard, God was pleased to establish Henry in sovereign free grace teaching. At that time, he was serving as an assistant pastor at Pollard Baptist Church (off of Blackburn ave.) in Ashland, Kentucky.
In 1955, Thirteenth Street Baptist Church was formed in Ashland, Kentucky, and Henry was called to be its pastor. He faithfully served that congregation for more than 50 years, continuing in the same message throughout his ministry. His preaching was centered on the Lord Jesus Christ and Him crucified, in full accord with the Scriptures. He consistently proclaimed God’s sovereign purpose in salvation and the glory of Christ in redeeming sinners through His blood and righteousness.
Henry T. Mahan also traveled widely, preaching in conferences and churches across the United States and beyond. His ministry was marked by a clear and unwavering emphasis on Christ, not the preacher, but the One preached. Those who heard him recognized that his sermons honored the Savior and exalted the name of the Lord Jesus Christ above all.
Henry T. Mahan served as pastor and teacher of Thirteenth Street Baptist Church in Ashland, Kentucky for over half a century. His life and ministry were devoted to proclaiming the sovereign grace of God and directing sinners to the finished work of Christ. He entered into the presence of the Lord in 2019, leaving behind a lasting testimony to the gospel he faithfully preached.
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