How Much IS Enough

This past Sunday, I worshipped at one of the more affluent congregations in a presbytery near where I live. I attend their “contemporary” Two weeks ago I worshipped with the same congregation in their “traditional” service. Two weeks ago, it was a very snowy morning; I was struck by the low worship attendance, compared to what I expected. Last Sunday, the room was packed. Usually, the seating is arranged for about 120 people. The two services are held simultaneously. The traditional service in the traditional worship area, and the contemporary service in a repurposed gym and fellowship area. The pastor told me that some folks go to the service where he is preaching.

What struck me most about last Sunday’s service was the gutsiness of the pastor. His primary verse of focus was Matthew 6:24. You cannot serve God and wealth. Remember, this is an affluent congregation in a very affluent suburb. The pastor did point out, Scripture does not say “money is the root of all evil,” but it says, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10). Still in all, the sermon was bound to have seriously challenged the core of the life on many of the worshippers.

The pastor did not bludgeon the worshippers with the text. He did not point to their lavish lifestyles, opulent homes or the number of Mercedes and Cadillacs in the parking lots. (Something which was obvious to me when I parked my 2008 Pontiac G6 by a very well appointed Mercedes.

The pastor’s challenge to the worshippers was around what we do with our wealth. He pointed to the recent edition of Forbes magazine which listed the wealthiest billionaires in the world. (A decade or two ago, Forbes listed the millionaires.) What does one do with a billion dollars? How many homes, cars, yachts is enough. He point to J. D. Rockefeller, who when asked how much would be enough money, who replied, “Just a little more.”

It caused me to ask that question of myself. I have to admit, we live in a better house than I ever imagined us living in. We have greater financial flexibility than I ever imagined us having. Yes, I want to enjoy a few things in these later years which we couldn’t in earlier years. Yes, I want to leave some resources to our children and grand-children. I do, however, have to ask, “How much is enough, and what am I doing with our wealth to improve the lives of others?”

That is a question we all have to ask and answer.