Enough Is Enough

Today’s title is often a statement of frustration when we reach our self-imposed standard of acceptability for the behavior of others and we feel there is little or nothing we can do about it. We might say it to our children when they are fighting among themselves. We could yell it at the TV when the political arena has become intolerable due to selfishness and, frankly, stupidity. Or we could just quietly stew to ourselves over government waste and incompetence.

But this post points to a source of confidence and hope not discouragement and disillusionment. We’ve heard it said, “You can never get enough of a good thing.” Is that true? It depends on the good thing. I believe you can never get enough love, or enough thankfulness, or courtesy. On the other hand, one serving of my daughter’s carrot cake or a good-sized helping of mashed potatoes with turkey gravy are enough to satisfy me for at least a day.

So the question is how much is enough?

What does it take for us to be content? When asked that, John D. Rockefeller is purported to have said, “Just one dollar more.” The Bible answers it a little differently.  Paul, writing in Philippians 4 has God’s heart on it: “Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” v.11. And he switches from himself to us in v.19, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

The writer of Hebrews adds a warning, an action thought, and a promise: “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you’” (Heb. 13:5).

I think it’s all a matter of focus and definition.

Many of us confuse wants and needs. And it’s exacerbated when we look at our neighbors or our co-workers and allow jealousy to dig its claws into us. Paul, again writing this time to Timothy in chapter 1, v.8 “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.” v.10 “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil.”

If our focus is outward, looking for areas and people to serve, instead of inward, pondering what we don’t have, it’s very likely that our contentment is not challenged by external things. We’re able to echo Paul’s sentiment from the above paragraph.

One of the sad issues facing the church today

in America is a small view of God. His promises throughout scripture should be enough to lighten our load, brighten our day, and heighten our awareness of His daily provision (see Lam. 3:23), so that we can face anything He allows across our path. He is a God who deals in superlatives. And we’re the beneficiary of them. Consider how many times the word “all” is used in scripture. ALL who come to Him, ALL our sins forgiven, and so many others.

I hope you can come away from this realizing that if you’re a child of the King of Kings, your future is secured by God’s promises. Your needs will be met, and probably some of your wants. If you haven’t joined God’s family yet by recognizing your need for a savior from the sin which has separated you from this God we’ve been talking about, it’s not too late. Jesus died for ALL your sins because He knew you are unable to meet His standard of holiness. Your part is just to humbly admit your need for forgiveness and say yes to Jesus. In the section Steps To Salvation, you’ll find a step-by-step map to join God’s family.

Hope to see you on the other side. Thanks for reading.