here's an article I wrote for the Allied News for Thanksgiving...
“When God Isn’t Enough” – by Scott Bates, Pastor of Mercer Baptist Church“Sin is what you do when you aren’t fully satisfied with God.” – John Piper, Future Grace.
It is Thanksgiving season but I have a problem. As I look into my own soul for the proper attitude and approach to this holiday – there is a roadblock. As I try to genuinely express gratitude for the life He has given and circumstances He has ordained, I find myself miserably embittered.
“I deserve more…I desire better…If only, then…”
Maybe you are beyond such problems and if so, you can pray for me. But if you aren’t beyond such a quagmire, I want to share just a few thoughts from a verse which not only explains our wickedness but also offers a remedy.
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” – Hebrews 13:5
Covetousness This isn’t a popular word today. But this inner attitude of loving money and things more than God is the root problem of our economic crisis. The word in Hebrews 13:5 simply means a lover of silver. Now, don’t make the mistake that the money is the problem because it isn’t. It is our attitude towards money that is the problem. When I love silver more than I love God, then there is no room for thankfulness.
Covetousness is also translated from a word in Colossians 3:5 which means “to have more.” The idea of covetousness is that we aren’t satisfied with our share – so we want more. And of course, this insatiable desire is never quenched and leads us down a dead end road of greed. But the passage in Colossians goes on to describe what covetousness really is… “and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Did you stop and let that sink in?
Wanting more than our share is idolatry. It is saying to God that His presence, His gifts, His will, His provision are simply not enough and we will search for our own gods.
If we find ourselves pining for a circumstance to change, wishing for things on a wish list and chasing after things or money – then I’m sure this Thanksgiving, God will not be enough for you or me. So go ahead, get up at the crack of dawn and run all day filling your baskets with things that you can’t afford. Or is there a better way?
Contentment This virtue and inner attitude means to be sufficient or to be enough. Rather than wanting more, we are satisfied with what we have. It is an attitude that must be learned! Paul the Apostle, said “…for I have LEARNED in whatever state I am, to be content.” (Philippians 4:11) He goes on to say that He learned “both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:12,13) In other words, it is through dependence upon Christ that we learn this attitude.
We cannot find this virtue in us but in Jesus Christ who lives in us.
A Thanksgiving Promise
Finally, we find the last two phrases of Hebrews 13:5. It is a personal promise to you and me. He, Himself has said this to us. It is also an emphatic promise. The quotation in the greek language has five different negative modifiers to place emphasis upon the surety of this promise. He will never, in any way, for any reason, at any time…leave us. What this verse says is that our God, our Lord Jesus Christ is enough!
And because He is enough – I can destroy the idols of covetousness and be content. What if lose my health? What if I lose my money? What if I lose my good name? I can be content…I can be thankful. I have Jesus and He is enough.
