How much is enough?

Here is a question I grapple with in no small way: How much money is enough?

I have found that few of us have ever clearly defined this number. If we have, it often becomes a moving target that fuels anxiety, drives decisions, and keeps us chasing more without ever finding rest. Financial firms such as Fidelity, Vanguard, and Kiplinger provide useful formulas based on income, expenses, and life expectancy. But a calculator cannot measure contentment, calling, or faithfulness. Further, since these formulas are based on worldly standards, we are often left feeling defeated.

Scripture begins somewhere entirely different: “The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness” (Psalm 24:1). God owns it all; we are simply His stewards.

The following principles are synthesized from resources by some of the respected Christian financial teachers whose work I read periodically, including Ron Blue, Dave Ramsey, Larry Burkett, and Art Rainer. From their biblical stewardship teachings, believers can identify “enough” by asking three questions:

• What has God entrusted to me? Wealth is not ownership; it is a stewardship assignment. God entrusts different amounts to different people according to His purposes and their ability to manage it faithfully (Matthew 25:14–30).

• What is required for faithful provision? Define a reasonable lifestyle, eliminate debt, prepare for foreseeable needs, and provide responsibly for your family. “Enough” should be a prayerfully determined finish line—not a number that rises every time our income rises.

• What is the purpose of the surplus? Once provision and prudent saving are addressed, additional resources should create greater generosity, not merely greater consumption. God may entrust us with more, but more brings greater responsibility—not permission to build bigger barns.

  
  

The real question is not whether we have accumulated a million-plus dollars or reached some benchmark identified by today’s top investment firms. Rather, the question is this: “Am I faithfully managing whatever God has placed in my hands?” Enough is not merely a dollar amount. It is the point at which we overcome comparison with contentment, overcome fear of the future with wise planning and trust in the Provider, and overcome the temptation of excessive accumulation with Kingdom purpose.

Contact Us

At BMA Financial, we help God’s people manage God’s money—for God’s glory. Let us know how we might assist you!

Contact us today!

Not a BMA Financial Member Yet?

Schedule a FREE Financial Assessment to see how we can help you manage God’s money, God’s way, for God’s glory!

Steve Crawley, PhD

BMA Financial

Executive Director