By God’s Grace, Money is Enough
BRD REFLECTION 2025
Proverbs 30:1-33 and Psalm 119:113-128 (NIV)
(Alvin Tay, Local Church Executive Committee)
READ:
Proverbs 30, focusing on verses 15-16.
OBSERVE:
A leech is a bloodsucking parasite with an insatiable appetite. Proverbs 30:15-16 uses it to illustrate that there are four things that are never satisfied: the grave, the barren womb, the land and fire. ‘Three things….four’ is a poetic way to signify that the list is not exhaustive.
APPLY:
If I may add a fifth thing that is never enough, it is a person’s need for money. Yes, “Money no enough” as the title of a movie goes.
As an economics student in university, I learned that human wants are limitless but resources are finite. In the same way, the two verses highlight the endless list of wants and desires of human beings and the lack of contentment.
I was born in a family which was not well-to-do. And to get out of poverty, I knew I had to study hard, and work hard. So I worked hard to climb the corporate ladder and earn more money, until 2018. Then God prompted me to retire and focus on the church and charity work. My wife was worried. Do I have enough to see the family through my retirement, she asked. I am now in my eighth year of retirement, and looking back, I can joyfully say, ‘By God’s grace, money is enough.’
As 1 Timothy 6:6-8 puts it: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
I am now contented with what I have, and comfortable with what I do not have. Christ is enough for me. I also live more simply. This means downsizing my house and helping my wife with some of the housework.
I seek to pursue godliness and trust in God’s provision. Everything I have comes from God. My discipleship journey in this season of my life is to serve the Lord in church and in society, and to finish the race well.
DO:
I will trust God to provide for my needs, and to use what I have – time, resources and spiritual gifts – for His purposes.
PRAY:
Heavenly Father, thank You for calling me to rest from my labour. Thank You for giving me neither poverty nor riches. Thank You for being my provider so that I shall not be in need. Use me, Lord, for Your purposes, to be a blessing to the least, the last and the lost. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
