Just One More

For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 2 Timothy 3:2-5

My husband tells the story of Howard Hughes who was once asked how much money, how many more dollars would be enough. His response was "Just one more." 

Many people live with the "just one more" philosophy. One more drink, one more pill, one more shopping trip, or one more pull of the lever on the slot machine. They believe they need one more of something to make themselves happy or fulfilled. Very rarely do we hear of such a person saying that they need to read just one more chapter of Scripture, or spend just one more hour in prayer. 

This is because people tend to worship the created things rather than the Creator, effectively making idols of worship out of objects. 

For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.  Romans 1:21-23 (NASB) 

God is set aside with the exception of being approached like some sort of Cosmic Santa Claus who can provide their wants and perceived needs. He is not worshiped as God nor given the honor and glory that is due Him. To "use" God in this way is an affront to God. 

God is not there to serve us, He exists to be honored and glorified by His creation. God desires that we are satisfied with Him apart for all we think He can "do" for us. Our joy and contentment must come from our relationship with Him and who He is, not the stuff He gives us or does for us in the world. 

God will never tolerate our love of "stuff" over love of Him. These things that become gods to us will be destroyed by God before they completely destroy us. Our flesh will always cry out for more and more gratification, and truly, the best thing that can happen to some of us is to have our desires come to an abrupt end through whatever means God determines is best. 

But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 1 Timothy 6:6 (NASB) 

God's desire is we are completely satisfied in Him in riches and in poverty. This is rare and difficult to attain in our age of excesses of all kinds. Our lives here are a training ground for the life that is to come with God in glory. How important do you think people will find the new car they left behind or that designer handbag? What is of eternal value is what should be sought after and cherished, not temporary pleasures that will never be enough in this life anyway.