Whats your number? How much is enough?

1 Samuel 1:9–14 (NIV):

Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house.r In her deep anguishs Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow,t saying, “Lord Almightyu, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and rememberv me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life,w and no razorx will ever be used on his head.” As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”

As a child growing up, I can tell you I always got what I wanted; the same is true for today, and that has to change. The most challenging part about change is just wrapping your head around the real issue. For me, it’s not measuring up.

I have chased the accolades of college degrees, recognition in my career field, security, and retirement. I continually remember that change is not easy and control is an illusion. No matter how hard I try, I can’t escape the idea that I am not in control—years of therapy taught me this lesson. It’s as if I’ve never learned it before. The fact of the matter is, I know it to be accurate, but I don’t want to acknowledge it.

In the book of Samuel, Hannah goes to the temple daily and cries her heart out to the Lord. All she wants is a child, And yet, for some reason, she cannot conceive.

Eli, the priest, is convinced that she is intoxicated, but she assures him that she is not; she is pressing into God with her prayer request and expecting God to deliver. She says to God that if God would give her a child, she would give that child back to God in service to Israel. The story continues, and Hannah finally conceives a child named Samuel. Samuel would become one of the greatest prophets of all of Israel. He would anoint Saul as King and choose Saul's successor, David; he would perform many miraculous signs in the name of God, lead Israel as a prophet, and humble himself before God at all times. Hannah had to let him go in service to Eli. I don't know what that would be like to spend years praying for a child and then giving that child over to a priest who had considered that she was a drunkard.

Learning to let go of all I feared losing is a continual part of my story. I have more toys and stuff that I know what to do with. Whenever an Amazon package arrives, my wife asks me if the purchase is necessary. The fact is that most of what I order from Amazon is not needed, but it's the lack of impulse control; I see, I want it, I point, I click, it's done, it's over. Does it satiate that desire? Oh yes!

In the movie Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, Jake asks billionaire Bretton James how much money is enough, and Bretton replies, "More.”

I don't believe wealth accumulation is sinful, but what we do with that wealth makes all the difference. One of the principles Mary taught me over the years is in Luke 6:38: “Give and it shall be given unto you press down and shaken together a good measure will be poured in your lap.” All my years of ministry tell me that I cannot out-give God. So many times when it seemed like we were in situations of financial ruin, God stepped in, and through friends, colleagues, and unexpected windfalls, God provided for us. God has never dropped $1 million in my lap, which is a good thing, but God has ensured that we've never gone without a car, home jobs, doctors, therapists, and so many others, especially friends and family. We have always given birth to more than enough, so why don't I believe it? Why do I desire material possessions that ultimately provide me with nothing lasting?

We come into this world in our birthday suit, and that is how you depart; you don't get to take it with you, and you can't spend it even if you get it into heaven; what matters is what you do with the time that you have here on this earth I don't want to store up for my self treasure in heaven that will rot. I want to make a difference for the kingdom of God for my community and my family, and that means surrendering all I fear losing to God; it means shutting down the Amazon app and turning my focus to the things of God, not the things that I think will provide me a temporary relief to the madness of this world. Our stewardship campaign kicks off on November 10th, and throughout November, we will give voice to what it means to “Seek, Serve, and Share God with others.” I hope this is not a time of making you feel guilty for what you give or have not given. Still, I want this to be when you, like Hannah, press into God and believe in miracles. I have seen what God has to offer. It is good my friends believe in God, trust in his son Jesus, and be empowered by the Holy Spirit as God is my witness. God will never leave or forsake you but bless you as you serve God in faith and humility.