The saying “more or less” is a phrase people use to express vagueness when unsure of the exact number. For example, I stood in line for an hour, more or less. It is a common idiom found in our society when we need to guess at an unknown amount. But today, I want to look at this sentiment from a Biblical perspective. I want to explore the saying to find out how our faith affects them. So, let’s jump in.
Wanting More
Here, in our society, TV tells us more stuff is better and will make us happy. And advertising stresses the importance of owning more of everything to feel better about us. Along the same line, we demand more information and faster, too. Many define success based on the amount of something that they own. For example, I’m tempted to measure my success as an author by the number of books sold. But when does that desire become a problem for the Christian person?
Biblical View
But possessions are not the problem. Instead, difficulties arise when we define life by what we own, instead of finding contentment in the things God provides. And God wants to give us wonderful gifts. So, what does the Bible say about accumulating stuff?
- Luke 12:15 (NIV); “He told the people, be careful to guard yourselves from every kind of greed. Life is not about having a lot of material possessions.”
- 1 John 2:16-17 (NIV); “For everything that is in the world—the desire for fleshly gratification, the desire for possessions, and worldly arrogance—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world and its desires are fading away, but the person who does God’s will remains forever.”
- Ecclesiastes 6:9 (NIV); “Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless like chasing the wind.”
Happy with Less verses More
When the desires for stuff overtake the passions for the things of God, we might stumble in our faith. God looks at the heart to determine if our wants of our hearts are healthy. So, what are some healthy desires God wants us to display?
- Psalm 37:4 (NIV); “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
- Matthew 6:33 (NIV); “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
- Proverbs 3:6 (NIV); “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Contentment
The Bible also shows us that contentment comes from delighting, seeking, and acknowledging God with our lives. For most people, greed will only bring strife, division, and separation. We need to learn to find happiness in less, not more. God promises to provide for all our needs when we put Him first. A good verse to show this message is in 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV): “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
This week, let’s aim to find genuine happiness in less material things and more God things. God Bless you this week as you strive to seek God’s kingdom first.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, your name is to be honored above all things. Lord, you are great and much to be praised. So today, we lift our voices towards heaven and offer praises to Your Most Holy Name. We thank you for your marvelous works and your loving kindness and tender mercies toward us. Thank you for providing us with all the good things we need in life. Lord, you give us more than we deserve. I’m thankful that your mercy endures forever. Amen.
Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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Wonderful post, Yvonne! I think we’re tempted to chase after too much stuff thinking it’ll make us happier when drawing near to God is the true happiness-satisfaction.
I pray some day we can realize that Jesus is more than enough for us. Thank you for visiting Vera. Blessings
Your message reminds me of how I’ve long struggled to be content with what I have. I know God has blessed me beyond measure, but I’ve always had this urge to work harder, longer, and be the best at whatever task I take on. I’ve been an over-achiever most of my adult life. As a result, I accomplished many things, but yet it was never enough. It’s only as I enter the “fourth quarter” (getting older) that I’ve begun to recognize that I need to slow down (a little), take time to be aware of the beauty around me (nature, family, quiet time, blessings that don’t involve over-achievment, etc.) Our Lord is enough and only through Him can we find true contentment–and it doesn’t come from accomplishments. Thank you, Yvonne–you’ve encouraged me today.
I think many of us are the same. The world encourages us to be like Martha in the Bible, always busy and doing. We find more satisfaction as Mary when we sit at the feet of Jesus. Like you, I learned it in the final chapters of life. Thank you Katherine for visiting. Blessings
Yvonne, thank you for this powerful message. It really does come back to finding our contentment in God. Joining you in this heartfelt prayer. May God give us eyes to see His many earthly blessings AND spiritual blessings through Christ Jesus. May we be content in Him. Bless you!
Amen Melissa. We need to take each day to count all of our blessings that He provides so we can find a true, lasting contentment in Him. Thank you and God bless
Yvonne, I liked this creative look at “more or less.” Your message along with the scriptures you share remind us that “contentment comes from delighting, seeking, and acknowledging God with our lives.” Our souls will never find satisfaction in more of anything. Jesus is the source of true satisfaction. Thank you for your continued commitment to sharing the Word and your words.
He is the one and only source and He provides well for us. It is so easy to get caught up in the worldly ways. Thanks Karen. Blessings
SO TRUE, Yvonne, “When the desires for stuff overtake the passions for the things of God, we might stumble in our faith,” just as you said.
Only Jesus can satisfy our yearnings.
Great post.
Thank you Connie. It is important to understand how our stuff can cause us to take our eyes off of Jesus. I appreciate your comments. Blessings
So loved this Ms. Yvonne. I’ve always considered Philippians 4:12 to be one of those verses that tell us Christians, “Hey, here’s a secret to living your life as a Christian.” My adopted mama used to always say, “I am blessed and highly favored” in response to negative circumstances our family faced. A business slow down at the service station, illness, disappointment, etc., Mama always looked for the positive. Older (in my 40s I suppose), I asked her what she meant by her oft-heard reply. “Well boy,”, as she liked to refer to me as, “I’m blessed and highly favored reminds me of what Paul wrote in Philippians. You see, the secret to being happy in life is understanding that sometimes it’s what you DON”T HAVE that’s most important.” Like most guys I know, I tilted my head and looked at her sideways (you know, like the dog does when you say something they don’t understand). She went on to explain that, “… when things get hard, you realize they’re not as bad as they could be and then you put things into God’s perspective. For example, money might be tight, but I don’t have an incurable disease. I’m pretty sick today, but I’m not terminal.” Mama used Paul’s words (God’s words) as a reminder to see things as they are, not as they could be; and things can always be worse than they are. 🙂 Thank you for giving me a great memory today my friend. God’s blessings.
Your Mama sounds like an incredibly wise woman. We are blessed and highly favored is true and a great way to put things into a godly perspective. My mom got Rheumatoid arthritis in her late 20s. She used to say that when she complained then God would show her someone missing a leg or something worse and she would remember that things could be worse. Then she followed up with God’s got a new pair of feet waiting for me in heaven. They both knew what was best. Thanks JD for the walk down memory lane. Blessings
Amen. What a wonderful message! Thank you Yvonne.
Thank you Melissa. I appreciate you taking the time to reply
Great article! I often this of that song from “The Greatest Showman” musical, “Never Enough.” Unless we learn true contentment, which is found in the Lord, nothing will ever be enough. Contentment is bliss!
I had forgotten about that song but it shows how people think. Yes, contentment is bliss. Thanks so much Jessica. Blessings
I find myself in a season where God is showing me there’s always more of Him to be found. That’s a “more” we should all crave. Thanks, Yvonne!
Yes it is a good craving. I want more of Jesus. Thank you Annie. Blessings