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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