More Than Enough

Then [Jesus] said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

LUKE 12:15

SO YOU ATE ALL THE ICE CREAM, and all the fruit rolls, and all the popcorn, and then you chewed all the bubblegum. Sure, you weren’t that hungry, but those are all your favorite things. So why not have it all? Oh, hey—did someone mention cinnamon rolls?

This is a silly example of excess—an example that should give you a tummy ache just from reading it! We’re lucky because we often have enough of what we need (not always, but lots of the time). Enough is enough. We don’t need more than enough—that’s excess. And it means we’re taking more than we need and leaving less for someone else.

We’re faced with the choice to take just enough or to take more than we need in lots of situations. Like at a birthday party where we shove in to get an extra piece of cake, or when we cheat a little to get more time playing a video game. Excess isn’t a good thing, even though in the moment it might feel good to satisfy our selfish urge to get more.

God gives us enough, and he provides for our needs. But he doesn’t want us to be greedy or selfish and take more than we need. He wants us to share, not take, like the boy who shared his lunch with the huge crowd (John 6:1-15). When we share and make sure everyone has some, there will always be enough.

DO

Think about all the things you have. What is something you have too much of? More than enough of? Who could you help by sharing that thing? With your parents’ permission, share something you have excess of with that person.

PRAY

Dear God,

You always take care of me and make sure I have what I need. Please help me remember to not take more than I need. Remind me to think of others’ needs before my own. Amen.

READ

Titus 2:11-12; 1 John 2:15-17