Serving Bread

(Disclaimer: this post is not geared to those in poverty, because for many who are in poverty, more money may be one of several needed solutions to escape poverty. This post is geared to the rest of us who are rarely content or satisfied with our income.)

Andrew Carnegie was once asked how much money is enough and his response was, “Just a little more.” I often operate with the “Just a little more” philosophy. If I had a couple hundred dollars more a month, everything would work out perfectly.

I am in constant struggle with my finances. I find myself rarely satisfied with the amount of income available to me. Even though I have more today than I did five years ago, I still believe that what I have today is not enough.

To be blunt, it is a sin to be dissatisfied with the gifts that God gives us. In one song, worshipers declare that “Every good and perfect gift comes from God.” Yet when we are dissatisfied with God’s gifts, it is difficult to declare that his gifts are perfect.

Second, God intends to provide and care for us. Our satisfaction does not come from the numbers in our checking account, but from God. In John 6, Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” There is not only provision but satisfaction in Jesus.

God intends for us to be satisfied with him and his provisions. Just a little more deceives us into thinking that someday we will achieve a satisfying income rather than look for the satisfaction now.

How to fight the deception of “Just a little more”:

1. Connect with Jesus. Only Jesus can bring satisfaction. We can change plenty of behaviors in our lives, but unless we believe that God satisfies, we will find ourselves wanting just a little more.
2. Meditate on God’s promises. Scripture is full of promises that our satisfaction comes from God. John 6.35 (mentioned above) is one example of scripture that can bless our lives.
3. Live on a budget. When we live on a budget, we can get more clarity on how God is providing for all of our needs.
4. Give. Being generous with our resources provides an important means to live on less and incorporate a philosophy that would counter “Just a little more.” What if we lived with the philosophy, “Just a little less.”
5. Compare down. When we compare ourselves with those who have more, we will need more to live at that financial level. But when we compare ourselves with those who have less, we will have more clarity how we have enough.