Day 3 - the Giant of "More, More, More"

Scripture Reading: “Be content with what you have, because God has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

“Godliness with contentment is great gain” … I Timothy 6:6.

If you had to turn the giant of “More” into an actual living, breathing, person, what would he (or she) look like? This past winter our son was participating in youth wrestling, so we might jokingly call “More” an 8-year-old-boy who comes home after wrestling practice and asks for something to eat, and then five minutes later, returns and says “can I have some more” and then five minutes later it’s the same thing, and you start to wonder where the food is all going. It seems like it’s never enough! He just wants more and more and more.

We look at all the drugstores that have sprung up in the area over the last few years and wonder why they keep building more and more and more of them. Tom’s parents even have a drugstore in their area called “Phar-MOR.” We see all the new fast food restaurants and wonder if they will survive – and yes, they probably will, because they offer more and more and more and more. When I was a kid, a 12-ounce soft drink was typically offered with a fast food meal. Now – it’s 42 ounces, right? It’s the Big Gulp and it’s the humongous burrito from Chipotle and it’s the super-sized fries. Small just wasn’t enough, it seems.
Whoever “More” looks like, it’s safe to say he or she is never satisfied. The giant of “more” is a bottomless pit. “More” seems to taunt us that if this little bite is so good, then more of it will be even better.

I have read that with taste buds, it’s that first bite that is the best. Our taste buds are quick learners, it seems, and they rapidly adjust to that awesome first bite and nothing tastes quite as good after that. But we want to experience the awesomeness of that first bite and so we go after more and more and more and more … and it doesn’t satisfy. Next thing you know, you ate too much and feel awful. All because you chased that evil giant of “More.”

Take heart, though: More has an enemy, as all giants do, and his name is “Enough.” He is described in the verses above. His name is God, and He tells us that He is “Enough.” Like that great Chris Tomlin song we sang in worship service recently, entitled “Enough”: All of You is more than enough for all of me – For every thirst and every need – You satisfy me with Your love – And all I have in You is more than enough…”

Prayer: Oh God, help me to be content with what I have! Help me to not chase after “More”. More has lots of children and their names are all the same – More! I suspect that the only More that you wish I would chase after – is MORE of You. Because You will make me content. You will supply all that I need. Help me to be like Paul, who learned how to be content in all circumstances (see Philippians 14:11).

Slay that Giant: First, let’s consider the topic of food. If you like some kind of food too much – doesn’t matter what it is – try an experiment today of stopping after the first bite. Ask God to help you to be content with just a little bit of it. Warning - it might be difficult at first! But Praise God as He gives you self-control in this area!

Secondly, a word of general encouragement as you fight the Giant of More in any particular area of your life. Yes, I agree, this can be a real battle! But as Christian author Beth Moore says, “Plan your victories!” This means that as we ask Christ to help us in our fight against the Giant of More, we should also “pick up our mat and walk,” just as Christ told the paralytic to do. Don’t wait to succeed in this battle. Be confident that God, who has started a good work within you, will work it to completion. I am content with that!