Enough Is a Beautiful Word

When I was younger, I don’t think I appreciated the beauty of that prayer. In fact, if I’m being honest, I probably thought it sounded strange. Who wouldn’t want riches? Who wouldn’t want more?

But life has a way of teaching lessons that youth cannot. Because I’ve discovered that “more” is a moving target. The bigger house eventually becomes normal. The nicer car eventually becomes ordinary. The promotion that once seemed so important eventually gives way to another goal.

I’ve fallen into that trap myself. Thinking that peace would arrive with the next accomplishment. But peace doesn’t live there. Because contentment and accumulation are not the same thing.

And perhaps one of the greatest gifts God gives a man is learning to appreciate enough. Enough income to provide. Enough health to enjoy life. Enough time to love the people who matter most. Enough resources to bless others.

And perhaps the man who knows he has enough is richer than the man who never believes he does.

Jesus continually pointed people away from greed and toward gratitude. He understood that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. Because possessions make poor foundations for joy.

Epictetus wrote: “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” Those words seem more profound with every passing year. Because gratitude transforms enough into abundance.