When we like something, it is natural to want more of it. But more doesn’t necessarily mean better. In many instances, less is actually more desirable. Wanting more can quickly become too much. The concept of ‘less is more’ may seem counter-intuitive, but a little thought makes it obvious. Our own experience affirms the truth that too much of a good thing is not good. Too much salt destroys the taste of what it is meant to enhance. Too many hot fudge sundaes lead to weight gain and perhaps diabetes. Precious gems are valued not just for their beauty, but for their rarity.
The Bible speaks to the problems of excess. Proverbs 25:16 tells us too much honey will make us sick. In Genesis 13, Abraham and his nephew Lot had to separate because they had too much stuff. The land could not support all of their flocks together. So, instead of shedding some of what they had accumulated, they lost their relationship as they moved apart. Jesus warns us the deceitfulness of riches chokes out God’s perspective in our lives (Mark 4:19).
God has given us many thing to enjoy, but He also teaches us the wisdom of restraint. To enjoy His gifts outside of His boundaries brings unpleasantness. He designed us with a hunger drive. Then He gave us all manner of food that is delicious and appealing to satisfy it. But gluttony is a sin. He gave us speech to communicate, but advises us that too many words leads to sin (Proverbs 10:19). It is wise to withhold words and stay calm when insulted. (Proverbs 12:16). He has given us all things for our enjoyment, but He intends those things to point us beyond the things themselves to Him (I Timothy 6:17). Our focus is to be on the Provider, not the provision. The provision is merely something for which we should express our gratitude.
All around us we see the evidence of people glutting themselves on every pleasure imaginable. However, those motivated only by wealth and pleasure often find a lack of satisfaction rather than fulfillment. We are all familiar with stories of celebrities who gained great wealth and fame, but whose lives ended in tragedy. The Bible counsels us that godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6) and the love of money (not the money itself, but the love of it) is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Seek first, the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and He will add to our lives everything we need (Matthew 6:33).
Much of what we encounter in this world is meant to be enjoyed in moderation. Anything else dilutes the pleasure. The exception is God’s love. We can’t get too much. He lavishes it upon us, as evidenced by the cross. We can’t worship Him too much. It is the worship of lesser things that brings trouble.
Self control is a fruit of the Spirit. It is only as we depend on God that we are able to do life His way. But doing life His way brings great reward. Glutting on pleasure brings misery. Nothing can fill the emptiness that God Himself is meant to fill. When we find our satisfaction in Him, we are content and grateful for whatever else He provides.
Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17
How have you seen the desire for more turn into too much? Please leave a comment below.
Blessings,
Phyllis
Copyright 2024 Phyllis L. Farringer
Photo by Şahin Sezer Dinçer on Unsplash
Thank you for your post and perspective, Phyllis. 🙂
Thank you, Joni. Thanks for reading.