by Dr. Lakeya Stewart
When will I ever be satisfied? Have you ever asked yourself this question? I know that I have asked myself this question quite frequently! It seems that our society promotes a continued quest for more. You know…the newer, the bigger, and the more expensive. Some of us like to think of this as simply an “upgrade” to our standard of living. How many of us would admit that this thinking at time sways us?
Soooo much money each year is spent on advertisements to showcase the new gadgets that come out. This tactic has been successful in leading many Americans into debt. When people are unable to afford an item after they have spent the money from their biweekly or weekly paycheck, many resort to the use of credit cards, which has leads to an overwhelming amount of debt.
In scripture, we see the human desire for more in a superficial sense as ungodly. Philippians 4:11-12 says, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Here we see the importance of finding satisfaction and contentment in our lives, wherever we find ourselves at this very moment.
Now, I want to be clear. There is nothing wrong with having nice things and working hard to achieve and buy these things, especially by saving. The problem lies when our quest for material possessions causes us to lose our identity in Christ. Instead of thirsting after righteousness, sadly, some of us thirst after items never being fully satisfied when we receive those items.
In the Bible, we see communities pooling their resources together in an effort to ensure that the basic needs of all community members were met. This is so far from how our community survives today. Society today seems to exist off of the “survival of the fittest” model where those with the most money and most influence seem to place their needs above those with little or no money or influence. Yes, I understand that many have worked hard to get where we are in life, but we must remember how important it is to help others.
Being content with the life that we have been given is the first step of finding inner peace. Always seeking for more of most anything but God with intentions of finding fulfillment is a recipe for disaster. Many people think they have arrived because they own 100 pairs of shoes, 62 suits, and 3 cars. None of this stuff will last and seeking more will never lead to contentment.
Jesus Christ died for our sins. As new creatures in Christ, after accepting Him, we can find contentment in our lives. No longer will we need to search for love, because God gave His one and only Son as a sacrifice so that we could be saved (John 3:16). On this week, I challenge you to consider what you are thirsting after. Is it material possessions? Is it more of Christ? Be blessed.