Whether its the persistent increase of consumer prices or decline in the purchasing power of the dollar, most families and individuals understand how difficult it is to get ahead in this financial climate. The majority fluctuate between not enough and just enough, making sacrifices to break even monthly. Meanwhile, the blessed, talented and wealthy are fortunate to experience a more than enough income, reaching a place of security few can comprehend.
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” – Acts 20:35
Prior to the bursting of the dot.com bubble on Wall Street, my wife and I made investments in two of the highest earning mutual funds in the world. Thinking these were going to continue to rise in value and not wanting to pay the taxes for selling them, we elected to put less money down on our first house instead of cashing out to pay for our home in full. This decision made sense until 2001 when the market tanked, flushing 60,000 dollars in paper money down the toilet. Ever since this day, I know the anguish of the “Enough Syndrome,” living under the curse of not enough.
But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. – Deuteronomy 8:18
From a spiritual perspective, the Jews were led by God through 3 similar phases in life. During 400 years of slavery in Egypt, not enough was par for the course, an accepted way of life. Upon their departure, able to pillage Egypt following the plague of the First Born, Israel spent 40 years in the Wilderness, graduating up to a just enough status as God provided manna, quail and water to meet their daily needs. Finally, the promise of a land filled with milk and honey was fulfilled, giving birth to a generation who tasted more than enough.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:33-34
Wherever you may be on this financial spectrum, remember the words of Job 1:21, “the Lord gives and takes away.” Through the good times and the bad, there is a lesson to be learned. At the end of each day, try to find and reflect on the positive things in your life, Philippians 4:8-9. No matter how hard it may be, trust in the Lord to help you move from the months of not enough to years of more than enough!
by Jay Mankus
