Bigger and Better

When Matthew and I attended Western Illinois University we were involved with Campus Students for Christ. I can honestly say that I grew up more spiritually during that time than any other. For the first time, my faith was truly challenged without any influence from my parents. It was time to make my faith my own -- exciting and scary. Still, to this day, I owe so much to my dear friend, Rebecca Staley Davis for introducing me to the campus ministry. 


There were lots of fellowship nights, and one game I remember most was Bigger and Better. I don't know if they even still play this game but it was lots of fun! Let me explain how it works. Participants are divided into teams and each team is given a small item worth very little monetarily. It could be a stick of gum, or a paperclip or a penny. Each team goes to houses and tries to trade their item with something "bigger and better" than what they have. So, at the first house, you might trade your stick of gum for a can of soup. At the next house you might trade your can of soup for a t-shirt. You continue to trade items until a time limit expires and the team to come back with the biggest or best item wins! Simple. Our team brought back a doghouse.


So, the point of the game? We are always looking for something bigger and better. It has become evident to me that as you get older and financial resources are more available than when you are working your way through college that it is easy to get sucked into the bigger and better mentality. I confess that I have struggled with this at times and it is exhausting. And when I desire what others have, I lose sight of the great blessings that I already have. The truth is, there will always be bigger and better things out there. Not long after you buy the newest gadget, technology will advance to a newer version. And the drive to have "bigger and better" contradicts what Paul teaches to "be content whatever the circumstances." He continues, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13


It is difficult to be content sometimes. It is difficult not to want. It is difficult to not want bigger and better. But God expects us to do difficult things and make sacrifices to serve Him. God gives us the choice. 


In our game of Bigger and Better, not one team said, "You know, I am content with this paperclip. I think I'll just hang out and clip papers together." Our teams were competing. We wanted to win! But in real life, we must stop competing to find true contentment. 


Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives 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.”