When Enough is Never Enough: The Danger of Coveting and Comparison
A question was posed in a Facebook group for lead pastors that went something like this: Is materialism a problem in the American church? It got me thinking.
Materialism is woven into the fabric of American culture. We often measure success by what we own—our homes, our cars, our vacations. Even in Christian circles, people sometimes equate material wealth with God's blessing, using phrases like "favor ain’t fair." But does more really mean blessed? And what happens when we start resenting others for what they have?
Is Materialism Really the Problem?
There's no doubt that materialism has shaped how we view success and blessing. But I believe an even greater issue is something deeper…coveting.
We rarely think of ourselves as materialistic. That term is usually reserved for someone else. But we often compare what we have to those who have more, not realizing that coveting sneaks in when we focus on what we lack rather than what we’ve been given.
We don’t just want more, we start to resent those who have what we don’t.
We Compare Up, Never Down
Here’s something interesting: we almost always compare ourselves to those who have more, not less.
We see someone else’s bigger house, newer car, or higher paycheck and think, "If I just had that, then I’d be set." But when was the last time we compared ourselves to those who have less?
We rarely pause to consider the global perspective—how even an average income in America places us among the wealthiest in the world. Instead of gratitude, we often live with a quiet dissatisfaction that whispers, "You deserve more."
The Real Danger: When Money Becomes Our Security
The Bible doesn’t say money is the problem. It says the love of money is.
And that love of money isn’t tied to a number in your bank account. You can have millions and still cling to money as your security, or you can have very little and still make money your obsession. Either way, money becomes what you trust instead of God.
Hebrews 13:5 reminds us:
"Keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”
The issue isn’t what we have or don’t have. It’s where we place our trust.
What’s the Answer? Learning to See Differently
So how do we fight against this mindset?
Gratitude resets our perspective. When we focus on what God has given us, we stop fixating on what we lack.
Stewardship replaces entitlement. We are managers, not owners. Everything we have is entrusted to us by God.
Generosity shifts our hearts. Giving isn’t about what’s left over. It’s about trusting God enough to let go.
The world will always tell us that we need more. But true freedom comes when we stop chasing more and start trusting God in the now.
A Prayer for Contentment
Lord, help me to see what I have through Your eyes. Guard my heart against jealousy, entitlement, and comparison. Teach me to trust You as my provider, to be a good steward of what You’ve given me, and to find joy in what truly matters. Thank You for always being enough. Amen.
