The Blessedness of Not Having It All

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Let me start by saying, it is by no means more godly or spiritual to have less. If God has blessed you with “more,” then thank Him, enjoy and be generous! Poverty is not God’s invention. It is a result of a broken world. Who better to manage worldly resources than the Body of Christ?

However, neither is it more godly or spiritual to have more, as some Christian leaders would have you believe. Sometimes the workings of God are mysterious and wonderful, and He can use even a situation of “less” for blessing!

Here’s what I mean…

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“Oh God, I beg two favors from you before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.” Proverbs 30:7-9 (NLT)

Material and financial blessing isn’t the only kind of blessing God can give.

In fact, God could be blessing you by not letting you have it all.

So often we mistakenly think this life is what matters –our daily comfort, our temporary happiness, our worldly appetites. We look around at our material possessions and, instead of gratitude, we feel discontentment and dissatisfaction. We think we need more.

Suddenly a closet full of clothes isn’t enough. A warm place to call home isn’t enough. That car, those shoes, these furnishings, (insert anything) aren’t enough.

I’m not saying it’s wrong to have or buy things!

But it’s the state of our hearts that matter, not our things.

And sometimes that ability to buy, buy, buy is a great enemy of contentment.

Sometimes God protects us from ourselves.

Because sometimes, “having it all” leads our hearts away from God by distracting us, or worse, weaseling in even deeper and becoming an idol.

So sometimes, God lovingly sets a boundary.

Other times He withholds the good stuff to give us the best stuff.

Through “seasons of less” He develops depths of trust, faith, patience and contentment that we could not know otherwise.

This is the true treasure! This is where the deep blessing lies.

These are the things that hold value beyond this life!

So, yes, there is a blessedness in having the things of the world. But there is also a blessedness in not having them. What’s important is finding contentment wherever you are.

“…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13

Whether you have it all or not today, choose gratitude and recognize God’s goodness. Trust His wisdom, and thank Him for giving you exactly what you have!

 

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