When Enough is Truly Enough
I struggle with "stuff." A part of me says that all of this "stuff" is God's blessing on my life. It is, otherwise I wouldn't have it. Another voice reminds me that in all of this blessing there is a fatal flaw. God didn't put the flaw there; it is a warp in my own character. Wanting more is fraught with danger.
Sometimes more really is better, but the more I have, the more I struggle against wanting more. This urge goes beyond material things—though they are the most obvious. The drive for more covers whatever I want more of, be it material, physical, emotional, yes, even spiritual.
I'd better qualify this latter statement. It can't be wrong to want to possess more of God, or to know His Word better, or to love and serve Him at a higher level. However, that's true until the acquiring of all things spiritual, as well as all the other things, becomes my exclusive goal.
Jesus said: "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed (emphasis mine); a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" —Luke 12:15.
What I am trying to say, though it may be poorly, is that whatever I want or have, be it material, physical, emotional, or spiritual, needs the right "raison d'etre," the right reason for being. Do I acquire simply to acquire to make me feel better, or do I seek and use the blessings God chooses to give me to truly honour Him?
It might be better to not have, than to have for the wrong reasons.
Sometimes more really is better, but the more I have, the more I struggle against wanting more. This urge goes beyond material things—though they are the most obvious. The drive for more covers whatever I want more of, be it material, physical, emotional, yes, even spiritual.
I'd better qualify this latter statement. It can't be wrong to want to possess more of God, or to know His Word better, or to love and serve Him at a higher level. However, that's true until the acquiring of all things spiritual, as well as all the other things, becomes my exclusive goal.
Jesus said: "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed (emphasis mine); a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" —Luke 12:15.
What I am trying to say, though it may be poorly, is that whatever I want or have, be it material, physical, emotional, or spiritual, needs the right "raison d'etre," the right reason for being. Do I acquire simply to acquire to make me feel better, or do I seek and use the blessings God chooses to give me to truly honour Him?
It might be better to not have, than to have for the wrong reasons.
Things are hard that way - as is all our greed. Your last line sums it up perfectly. All for Him, not us.
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