That is really a fair question that is asked far too infrequently, if at all. Another problem is that when it is asked, the answer is usually, “Just a little bit more!”
So, let’s ask it and talk about a concept that is long overdue as a topic of discussion and serious consideration in Christian circles. How much stuff is enough? Do you have a vacation home in the mountains, beach condo, a flashy second car, or a bigger home or (fill in the blank with what you would like) you are eyeing? None of those are sinful or wrong in themselves. But ask yourself the following:
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How Much is Enough?
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Seriously.
• How much income is enough?
• Can you set a “finish line” for your income, an amount that gives you a reasonable standard of living but still allows you to be generous with the LIFE (Labor, Influence, Financial resources, and Expertise) God has given to you.
If we see how the secular world reacts to this question, it is easy to see the problem. Bigger = better. More square feet is even better. More room is better still! See The Curse of Materialism.
The “bigger is better” thought process leads to an endless life of expense and excess, followed by even greater excess, followed by even more, and on and on … Just look at the mansions of Hollywood stars trying to outdo each other. “Mine is bigger.” “But mine is newer.” “No, mine is a lot nicer!”
The better question is whether there is an alternative. There is. So, let’s ask again, how much is enough and how can you figure out how God would have you answer that question?
Let’s answer those questions!
This examination begins with the basics. There are over 2,300 verses in the Bible on money, possessions and wealth. God gave us so much instruction because we needed it. Life shows us that it is far too easy to come to two worldly conclusions:
1. I earned this and deserve it, and
2. It’s my stuff and I can do whatever I want with it.
The world is 0 for 2 with its answers to both of those questions.
I earned this and deserve it
You may have worked hard. You may have been very intelligent or skilled. You may have been very well educated and trained with special and valuable skills that are rare or even unique.
So what? God made all of that possible for you.
Deuteronomy 8:18
18 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.
Without the breath of life that He gave you, you would not even be here today reading this. Without the abilities God gave you, the intelligence, skills or ability to work hard, you would be … who knows where? There is a reason the wise often but correctly reflect, “there but for the grace of God, go I.” That is a fundamental truth.
What we have really earned is condemnation and hell – and we would have those if not for Jesus. Romans 8:1-2.
It’s my stuff and I can do whatever I want with it.
No it isn’t your stuff. Any honest examination of the scriptures must lead you to the conclusion that you are not an owner, only a steward, a manager of what God has allowed you to have. See It All Belong to God.
Psalm 24:1
Of David. A psalm.
1 The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
You can find support for that concept, that God owns it all, from Genesis 1:1 through the book of Revelation. You can also find support for that concept in simple logic. Five minutes after you die, God will not be asking you the size of your bank accounts, IRAs or 401(k)s or about the quality of your investments. Nor will it matter to you any longer since none of it will be yours to manage any longer.
So, God made it possible for you to have anything and everything you have according to His sovereign will, and it is all His anyway. So where does that take you?
It takes you back to the Bible for some additional instruction from God. If you are the steward and not the owner, the next question is “what does the owner want me to do with His stuff?”
Again, God has made that clear, we are to have a kingdom view of the things we are given to manage. Here, the parables of Jesus are invaluable. From the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), where Jesus leads a man to realize that living with open hands to help someone in need is what makes a real neighbor, to the parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21), where Jesus made it clear that we are not to store up things for ourselves without being rich toward God, we see a constant theme; the stuff we have is first for God’s benefit.
If that wasn’t clear enough, then Paul made it crystal clear when he wrote to the Corinthian church and thanked them for their generous offerings. He included an explanation that can only lead to this conclusion:
2 Corinthians 9:11-13
11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.
13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
Why are you “enriched in every way”? 2 Cor. 9:11 says we are enriched so we can be generous on every occasion.
Why are you to be generous on every occasion? 2 Cor. 9:11 says we are to be generous so that God can receive thanksgiving.
Why do we serve? 2 Cor. 9:12 says we serve so we can provide the needs of God’s people.
Why do we do that? 2 Cor. 9:12 says we provide for the needs of others so God will receive the thanks.
What is the ultimate result of our generosity and service? 2 Cor. 9:13 says so that others will praise God.
That sums it up. We have because God gave it to us and so that we can give and serve so that others will praise and thank (and know) their Creator.
And nowhere is this about anything more than our needs, and it is certainly not about our wants. And nowhere in there is there even a hint that God put us in charge of wealth so we could live comfortably and isolated from those with less.
Psalm 9:18
18 But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.
Psalm 72:12
12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.
Proverbs 14:31
31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
Isaiah 58:11
11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Acts 2:45
45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
Romans 12:13
13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Ephesians 4:29
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Philippians 4:19
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 5:3
Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.
Titus 3:14
14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
Hebrews 4:16
16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
James 2:16
16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?
1 John 3:17
17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
For an excellent analysis of the entire Bible, see God and Money: How We Found True Riches in Harvard Business School by John Cortines and Gregory Baumer.
There is no sin in having enough to meet our needs. Different people define “needs” differently, that is one of the great blessings of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Our lives are not controlled by rigid unfeeling laws and regulations. This isn’t a matter of legalism, it is, within reason, a matter of relationship. The Bible never says how much is too much, it just tells us to ask the Owner.
Different people in different circumstances will have different needs to meet their individual and unique circumstances. No formula does or could ever exist that measures the caloric needs of a person based upon height, weight and metabolism, measures the temperature, humidity and weather conditions for clothing and housing needs, examines the intellectual ability, and tells a person his or her God-directed skill set and how much education and training is needed and what job they should have, etc. You get the picture. I in my circumstances have individual needs and aspirations, dreams and talents, much of which is unknown to most other persons. God allows us to work in relationship to Him to grow into our proper position.
Should we set a “finish line” as John Cortines and Gregory Baumer suggest? A finish line is an amount that supplies your needs and above that, no matter how much higher above that, the money is invested into kingdom work. That is between you and God, but a statement I have heard that is very true is that the alternative to a life of consumption is kingdom investment. Wouldn’t you rather invest in something eternal?
Matthew 6:19-21
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
As Randy Alcorn put it, God does not prosper us so that we can raise our standard of living. Instead, God gives us more to raise our standard of giving! So there really is only one honest and Biblical answer to the question, “How much is enough?” Ask the owner, ask God. If you stay silent and listen, He will make the answer clear to you in due time.
About the author:
John Campbell has retired from a 40-year legal practice as a trial attorney in Tampa. He has served in multiple volunteer roles at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Florida where he met Jesus. He began serving as the Executive Director of the Idlewild Foundation in 2016. He has been married to the love of his life, Mona Puckett Campbell, since 1972.