HomeWord - Dec. 31, 2008

When is Enough... Enough?
This devotional was written by Leslie Snyder

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have… — Hebrews 13:5a

After a career of auctioning millions of dollars worth of decorative arts, fine furnishings and wealthy estates, auctioneer Leslie Hindman finds little value in material possessions. Over the years, she has watched families argue bitterly over a loved one’s possessions, while others spend millions on items that will once again be sold at the buyer’s death.

Global statistics report that if you have a roof over your head and a meal on your table, you are richer than 93% of the world, and if you own at least one pair of shoes you are richer than 75% of the world. Contrast this with the fact that consumer credit card debt in our country is nearing 8 billion dollars. Credit card debt averages $8,000 per household. When is enough…enough? Ecclesiastes 5:10 says, “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.” Proverbs 30: 7-9 reads, “Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ or I may become poor and steal and so dishonor the name of my God.”

The author of Hebrews charges us to be content with what we have. One way to do that is to let go of the excess in our lives and be free from the chains of materialism. A friend once spoke this challenge, “What ever happened to having enough?” Today, I pass that challenge on to you.

GOING DEEPER:

Are you content with the things you have or do you find yourself continually wanting more?
Identify one thing you can let go of today to begin freeing yourself from the clutches of material possessions.

FURTHER READING:
Philippians 4:12-13; 1 Timothy 6:8