The Desire for More and More



By Bill Serjeant - Posted at The Biblical Way:

‘Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).”’

At this time of year we find ourselves discarding rubbish that accumulated on Christmas day. I’m not talking about unwanted and useless presents, but about all that comes as a result of the usual worldly celebrations: torn wrapping paper, fragments of pulled crackers and their contents, food packagings, cartons, cans, bottles, etc., not to mention uneaten food. We sort it into recyclable and non-recyclable bins for our local council to take away.

If we are concerned about *global warming, pollution of the air and of our oceans, and the rapid demise of animal species, all on account of our over consumption, we might find ourselves with a tinge of guilt. But taking action on that count is a hard proposition. The practical enormity of the problem is overwhelming, because of our insatiable desire for MORE: more possessions, more travel, more profit, more fun, more pleasure, more power, more kudos – the list goes on and on!

Why are we like this? Why can’t we just say no? How is it that we are caught in this inescapable desire for more and more?

We humans have this inbuilt lust. We are never satisfied with what we have, despite the fact that many of us have far more than we need. As I say this I’m mindful that the vast majority of people do not have enough. Many are without food, adequate clothing and a roof over their heads, which in itself is an indictment against us who selfishly want more.

This desire for more is a serious **flaw of character, and yet God promises He will give abundantly more to those who already have!

Jesus said, ‘“For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him (Matthew 13:12).”

Paradoxically He tells us that those with precious little – even that which they have – it will be taken away!

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