When is Enough Really Enough?

“When is Enough really Enough?”

“When is Enough really Enough?”  In today’s self-seeking and narcissistic world, we do well to ask ourselves this question each day.  Tremendous societal pressure exists to keep up with “the Jones.”  No matter what we have, we believe it is simply not enough.  Therefore, we strive to get more.  If we have been blessed with a nice house, we fail to be thankful.  Instead, we set our minds on getting an even bigger house.  If we drive a luxury car, then we insist that we must have a luxury sport utility vehicle.  We also spend more and more money on clothes, jewelry, furs, decorative items and furniture in an attempt to reassure ourselves that we have “made it.”  We constantly “one-up” ourselves.  Accordingly, we never know satisfaction nor are we able to enjoy these material acquisitions.  If we are constantly seeking more and more, how can we find peace and pleasure in life?  Again, I ask, “When is Enough really Enough?”

Our failure to answer this question presents grave dangers for us.  If we do not know when we have achieved enough, then we cannot enjoy what we have.  More significantly, the chase for more imprisons us to the fallacy of believing that “stuff” makes us happy.  Quite frankly, some people prostitute themselves to turning tricks merely to get more things.  Thereby, they compromise their core beliefs, values and principles.  They even betray friends and family to enable them to buy more “stuff.” 

In addition, “keeping up with the Jones” threatens our emotional and physical health.  Indebtedness is one of the greatest causes of anxiety and stress.  It leads to workaholism, which in turn compromises our physical well being.  As we work more, we have less time for our spouses and families.  Additionally, we devote less time to personal development and spiritual growth.  Those two critical aspects of life hold secrets and keys to joy and happiness.  Should we be unable to determine “when Enough is really Enough,” we risk the danger of never knowing the enduring riches of life: love, fidelity, faith, truth and justice.

Practicing good stewardship of financial and other resources is the best remedy to the prevalent greed and hedonism of our society.  Contentment is not an issue of needing more.  It is the wisest and most efficient use of what you have.  Good stewardship requires clarification of priorities and values.  Is it reasonable to put more money into a car than into the education of children?  Is it good to buy a new house in your fifties rather than plan more aggressively for retirement?  Practicing good stewardship alleviates the pathology of seeking more for its sake. 

Good stewardship equips us to share some of our resources with others.  It empowers us to commit to something larger than hoarding.  Stewardship teaches us to give to charity and help those in need.  Ironically, in giving to others we actually give to ourselves.  We acquire life’s enduring riches through sacrificial giving and self-denial.  As we become willing to share our time, talent, and resources, we discover the wealth of relationships and service.  These experiences transform themselves into love and caring.  Should we constrain ourselves by believing that we do not have enough, we never know the true riches of life.

“When is Enough really Enough?”  I hope you find an answer to the question as soon as possible.  Your inability to answer may unfortunately imprison you to the dreadful existence of seeking “stuff” for its sake.  More regrettably, you may prostitute yourself to self-seeking due to a lack of values.  Should you find a spiritually based answer to this critical question, you will find life’s most precious treasure: love, joy and peace.