“More Isn’t Always Better”

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.  You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”  — Exodus 20:17

The corporate retailer drumbeat to shop until we drop will grow louder and louder as Christmas Day approaches.  The commercials will tell us that we shouldn’t be satisfied with what we have.  We will be told that if something is bigger, newer or flashier that it is better, and that if we can just get it under our Christmas tree we will find true happiness and satisfaction.

Often we find ourselves giving in to these tempting messages and lusting for that brand new flat screen TV or Audi SUV.   The problem with this, however, is that when we passionately long for something that someone else has we are coveting and the Bible says (Exodus 20:17) that coveting is sin.

 Indeed, Jesus warned about coveting. He said, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Lk. 12:15).  What Jesus was saying is that more isn’t always better.

 Yet we live in a society that misbelieves that more is better and that things can make us happy.  In this regard, sometimes we find it hard to rejoice in what others have; we want what they have ourselves.  Sometimes we envy the rich who seem to have it all.  But the problem is, they don’t have it all!  Many are missing that special something called peace and contentment.

             We can covet and we can posses, but there’s a better way.  Jesus said, “See ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” (Mat. 6:33, 34).

 When you’re content, you won’t covet – and it is possible.  Paul says it’s true: “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances…And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in Glory.” (Phil. 4:11,19).  This Christmas let us do our best to be content with what we have and let us remember that more isn’t always better.

 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Pastor Kip Banks, Sr.

Tags: Christianity, Christmas, materialism, shopping