Published by admin on 20 Aug 2010 at 04:23 pm
MORE IS NOT ENOUGH
Today I’d like to explore a two-sided coin. Many Christians want “more”, but exactly what IS it they are seeking? Are they seeking more material goods, or are they seeking a closer relationship with God? Or both, or is that possible? Let’s have a look.
First, let’s look at the material side, it is a proven fact that “more” is never “enough”. No matter how much money a person has, they always want more. No matter how many material possessions a person has, it’s never enough. Life is a never-ending acquisition of “stuff”, and whatever your definition of “stuff” is, whether it be cars, coffee cups, houses, lands, or fishing poles, the collection is never complete. Once a desired item is obtained, soon the satisfaction level wears down again, and it’s off to get something else, and it just never stops. If you have ever seen the home of a hoarder, you will see an extreme example of that in action. “More” is an addiction, whether we see it that way or not. Wanting more says we are not satisfied with such things as we have. And not being satisfied can be another way of saying “I’m not thankful for such things as I have already been blessed with.” Now, I’m not saying it is always wrong to ask for “more”, for the poor are among us, and if we have more than we need, we can certainly bless those less fortunate with our excess. But I find that most people want the “more” for themselves, and they cast their unwanted junk to the poor, and not their “best stuff”.
When was the last time we asked God for more material blessings so we could in turn bless others with really good things? I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, but let’s face it, it doesn’t happen nearly often enough. For example, someone wants a boat to take their family on rides at the lake. Pretty soon they will see someone with a bigger boat. Guess what? Now they MUST have a bigger boat. Will they give the boat they presently have to someone else? Or will they sell it or trade it in on something bigger? Some family would be blessed to have the old boat, but the bottom line is, their want for “more” has overtaken them and blessing someone else with the old boat will never cross their mind. You see, our fallen human nature is to look out for ourselves, not the other guy. So why do we need “more”? Is it to help others, or to feed our own ego? I can’t answer that for you, but in your own heart you know the truth.
I have been in people’s homes who are overrun with “stuff”, yet they are still not happy, so apparently “more” is not necessarily “better”. It is written in Proverbs 27:20; Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. Proverbs 30:15-16 says; The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:
The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.
Can we go through life being satisfied with such things as we have? I believe so. That doesn’t mean we never need to buy new clothes or furniture, or a different car. But we can live free from the addiction to “more”. It’s easy to know if the “more” bug has bitten you, because you will constantly be trying to figure out how you will get this or get that, and there is no peace in your life.
If that is your case, you can ask God to show you the other side of the coin. We have briefly explored the material side of “more is never enough”. Let’s look now at the spiritual side, which is actually driving the need for “more”. The Apostle Paul had gone from being one of the Jewish elite, to the not-so-well-to-do, material wise. Yet, in his quest for a closer walk with the Lord Jesus, he learned a thing or two along the way. And we could profit by his “not-for-profit” status. He wrote in Philippians 4:4-13;
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
The first thing Paul tells us is to rejoice in the Lord. Be thankful for what He has given you. God is not stingy, nor does He delight in people living the land of lack. He is not the God of “just enough”, but of “more than enough”. He doesn’t have a problem with you having “more than enough” as long as the more than enough does not have YOU. When we ask God for more, are we asking for more evidence of His presence at work in our life? Are we asking for a closer walk with Him, which results in less of us, and more of Him being presented to those around us? If “more” of God in our life is never enough, then we’re on the right track. You know, a vessel can only hold so much of anything. If you have a five gallon container full of sand, and you would rather have a five gallon container full of water, you must pour out the sand to make room for the water. Same thing with us: we must pour “us” out in order to make room for “HIM”. Now, in reality, that pouring out of “us” doesn’t happen all at once, and that’s why when we pour ourselves out to others, they often see a bit of mud and not clear water. But not to worry, because as we surrender to Him daily, there’s a little less sand and a bit more “living water” to be had. Learning to be content with our earthly belongings is a learned response; it does not come automatically for most people, as we well know. We are a spirit being, living in a fleshly body, therefore that fleshly body wants to exert its influence on everything we do. While the flesh is driven by its own desires, in reality, those desires come from the spirit realm, and it isn’t God’s Spirit, it’s the devil trying to influence us to do that which is not of God.
We’ve all tried the “more is not enough” and found it does not satisfy. But when “more is not enough” indicates the hunger we have for God, then we truly become rich!
Diana McDougal on 21 Aug 2010 at 8:06 am #
Thank you for this message. I desire more living water and a lot less sand.
Jennifer on 23 Aug 2010 at 2:14 pm #
This is a great message Pastor Jerry! I have really felt the Holy Spirit telling me to get rid of stuff I don’t need in my home. I have sold some things, but mostly given much away. Not sure what the Lord has for us but he is making it very clear that he wants us to scale-down, so we continue. Thank you both for all you do. God bless!
Jennifer