Grains of Sand

No matter how much we have, it never seems to be quite enough. We are all to aware of how the advertisers play on that crack in our armor, convincing us that we just need their product to be fully satisfied. Ask me about my MAC. I'm totally content with what I have until I see the newest version. Since new "toys" are introduced practically every other week, I find myself never satisfied, especially since I can't possibly afford to keep up. So Paul's words have special meaning. He writes in Philippians 4:13-15: " …I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. " I find it interesting that this much-quoted last verse refers to resisting greed. And it is to our greed that the advertisers ap...

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 ...