The more syndrome
Martha Olawale
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 1 Timothy 6:6-7
As I looked through my closet trying to pick my clothes for the day, I got a little frustrated because although I had so much to choose from, I could not decide fast enough. It was more confusing than comforting to have so much and yet feel the perfect pick is missing. What is it about us that no matter how much we have, we just keep adding to it? While there is nothing wrong with enjoying all of God’s blessings in our life, there should be a check to restrict us from taking our more syndrome farther than it should go.
The quest for more is ingrained in the human heart. We want more fame, more money, more house, more influence; just more, and more. Even when we have more than we need, we seem to always have a desire to add to the bank or fleet of cars in our garage. We fill the closet with shoes we don’t wear for months and adorn our lives with momentary gratifications that only last so long.
The power tussle of the world’s government systems reinforces the need for us to continue to engage in the battle of the “fittest takes the trophy.” Instead of learning from the character of the creator of the universe, humanity is disintegrating to a level so low that we believe it’s okay to trample on others to get to the proverbial promised land. Regardless of the cost of acquisition, the quest for more is reducing the strength of empathy and mercy to the weakness of hate and greed.
Paul writes in Hebrews 13:5, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.” As followers of Christ, our sufficiency is in God because He is our El Shaddai. When we find rest in Him, He satisfies our longing for more with the fulness of Himself.
Contentment indeed is “great gain.” Through contentment, we enjoy peace because it reminds us there is always someone below the ladder and we are blessed to have as much as we have. Contentment makes us see abundance instead of the need for more. Without it, you might be the richest person on earth and still want something someone else has that your money can’t buy.
