How Much is Enough?

It’s been quite a week for me. I was blessed to go on the high school mission trip to Birmingham with our church. I truly love working with students and love this particular group of students. They were perfect, but we had some experiences that I’m still processing.

One idea is that of privilege. I have already realized my privilege, but I was smacked upside the head again with it during the trip. I witnessed it in many ways and on many levels - some good - some not so good. The students were confronted with it too, and it was uncomfortable for many of us.

As a follower of Jesus, I don’t mind feeling uncomfortable because it’s in those moments that I turn to God to see what he wants me to learn from the situation.

How much do I give away?

I’ve thought about wealth and privilege for years. The word “tithe” means tenth part (Strong’s 4643) From the Old Testament we get the idea of the 10% tithe (Genesis 14:20, 28:22, Leviticus 27:32), but Jesus challenged that over and over again. The rich man asked him, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?...what do I still lack?” (Matthew 19:16, 20) and Jesus responded, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”(Matthew 19:21). Zaccheus, who when meeting Jesus said, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” (Luke 19:8)

So, how much am I supposed to keep for myself and how much do I give away? There are commentaries upon commentaries debating this question, and I have yet to read one with a truly satisfying answer.

Give Up the Worry over Possessions

I can only fall back on my experiences when I’ve gotten it right about wealth and when I’ve gotten it totally wrong. One time was when we got our horses. I worried that something would happen, and we wouldn't be able to afford them. It would break Noel’s heart if I sold the horses. I knew worrying was completely foolish, but I did it any way. After much anguish and foolish, unwarranted debate and thought, I came to the conclusion that whatever happened, God would be with us and help us handle it. When I came to that conclusion, all the angst went away.

Desire Breeds a Desire for More

The other lesson I’ve learned is about buying “stuff”. Whether it was redoing a room or buying an item that I think, “If I get this…then...” It was amazing that regardless of how many rooms that were redone or how many items were bought, there was always a desire for more. It never stopped. The minute I updated something that I thought didn't look right; there was something right behind it that needed to be updated.

Finally, I realized I would never be content with stuff because the desire for stuff bred a desire for more stuff. I’m not even sure what my prayer was. At some point God stopped the desire for unnecessary stuff.

How Much is Enough?

My biggest question now is the idea of saving and how much is enough. Our society doesn’t work like Jesus’ culture. Parents don’t live with their children, and children are not expected to care for their parents. Living expenses as we age and health care are already astronomical so how much is enough? It reminds me of the parable that Jesus told about the rich fool that had so many crops he had to tear down his barn and build a larger one (Luke 12:16-21). I don’t want to be like the rich fool, but I want to be able to survive in my old age.

As it can be seen, I struggle with this topic. I don't think I have the full answer, but I think I have pieces of it. I don’t believe I’ve been asked to give up all that I have. There are times that God has moved me to give beyond my regular giving, and I’ve learned to give the number God puts on my heart. God has also placed it on my heart to give up income in relation to jobs and career, and I have done that. He’s also shown me peace through turning to him, and that stuff only breeds discontent, and the desire for more.

Each time God asks me to give up something whether it is a material possession or the worry about it, with His help I have done it. I know I’m not done learning on this topic, but I know God will lead me to where I need to be.