Bigger is Not Always Better By Kevin B. Bullard

In our society, we’re trained from a young age to think “bigger is better.” What often accompanies that mode of thinking is unnecessary strife and turmoil due to sacrifices that were made to upgrade to the bigger and better. Much wisdom is found in the scriptures concerning possessions, and their motive and means of attainment. One verse, however, contains a classic principle that we all can identify with and learn from.

Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. Proverbs 17:1

This principle, if followed, would prevent divorces, bankruptcy, distrust, and much heartache in the lives of many. This principle tells us that it’s better to have a dry morsel that will produce peace in the home rather than a sacrifice that will cost you more than you can comfortably afford and produces incessant noise, strife, and struggle in the home (e.g., a nice 5-year old car that is paid for vs an elaborate, new car with all the bells and whistles with a monthly payment you're struggling to make). The scripture is saying that it is better to bite off what you can chew in peace, than to go overboard and have strife in your life.

We often set ourselves up for financial failure by assuming debts we cannot pay back comfortably. We convince ourselves that since God wants us to have the best, then we should go for the best even if we can’t afford it. We leads over into a place where our faith is tainted and unbalanced.

While God does want the best for us, it often comes in seasons. As God increases us (Psalm 115:14), we are able to do bigger and better things without strife ever entering into the picture. The Lord's blessing or empowerment to prosper upon you enriches you. It does not cause you sorrow (Proverbs 10:22). In other words, God's blessing upon you will not land you in the poor house financially.

Because our society is covetous, the rule of thumb is to keep up with the Joneses. In an effort to do so, we put ourselves into deep financial trouble. What we fail to realize is that the very folks we’re trying to keep up with and impress are themselves trying to keep up and impress someone else! The result is always a tired, cranky, dysfunctional, indebted family that got that way because of greed. So much for bigger being better!

In the Amplified Bible's translation of Luke 12:15, Jesus said, “Guard yourselves and keep free from all covetousness (the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to have more); for a man's life does not consist in and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance or that which is over and above his needs.” If we are not on guard, then we become candidates for misery that could have been prevented.

Again, there is nothing wrong with doing better, upgrading, and making improvements to your quality of life. However, you must be definite that your motives are correct, and that you're making a sound decision.

When considering a purchase, ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I really need this item or do I just want it? Will it improve the quality of my life? How often will I use it? (Proverbs 16:2; Luke 12:15)

2. What has God said about this purchase? (Psalm 85:8; Proverbs 3:5-7; James 1:5)

3. Can I comfortably afford this right now or will it be a sacrifice? (Proverbs 13:12; 17:1; 10:22; Hebrews 6:12)

4. Do I have a plan to repay this debt rapidly? Is the plan written out in timetables? Can I wait and pay all or some of it in cash? (Proverbs 12; 21:5; 22:7)

5. Is my spouse in agreement with me regarding this purchase? How will it affect my husband/wife? How will it affect my children? (Proverbs 11:5; 12:5; Amos 3:3)

6. What are my true motives for wanting to make this purchase? Am I trying to impress someone or am I doing this for me? (Psalm 26:2)

7 . Do I have full peace making this purchase or am I going against what my conscience it telling me to do? (Colossians 3:15, AMP)

8. Is now the correct time for me to make this purchase? Will I want this item as much next week/month/year as I do today? Note: Delay does not mean denial. (Proverbs 27:12, 20; Ecclesiastes 3:2; Hebrews 6:12)

If you can answer these questions with full confidence and without your heart condemning you, then you’re probably in a good place to make the purchase. However, If any alarms go off while answering them, reconsider the purchase, and delay it until you have full peace. Peace…tranquility…that is what you want to have during and after the purchase.

While bigger may not always be better, a little with quietness is always better than a lot with contention and discord.