This week we’re finishing up our series in Philippians. 

Most of you know the character Forrest Gump, played by Tom Hanks, in the movie of the same name. Gump is a slow-witted but good-hearted man whose life journey runs (sometimes literally) straight through remarkable events while he remains unfazed. 

He tells his life story to a stranger on a park bench. He made money by endorsing a line of ping-pong paddles, which he used to buy a shrimp boat and hire an Army friend, about whom he says this: 

“He got me invested in some kind of fruit company, and so then I got a call from them saying we didn’t have to worry about money no more. And I said, ‘That’s good! One less thing.’” 

The joke is that the “fruit company” investment was Apple computers. His subdued, matter-of-fact response helped me put money and financial concerns into a healthier context. Having lots of money wouldn’t fix every problem, it would just fix that problem. One less thing. 

I confess that I think about money more than I should. But once the most basic needs are met, how many problems would more money really solve? 

If my salary was just 10% more, I wouldn’t worry so much about my car breaking down or my roof leaking. Or maybe I would buy a fancier car and bigger house and worry about those instead. 

It’s often said that a goldfish grows proportionally to its bowl, and we can easily let problems grow to match any budget. It’s Biblical to be good stewards of everything we have, but it’s so easy for us to fall into a trap of thinking money can solve more problems than it really can: 

I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content - whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:12-13 HCSB) 

Sometimes I put money at the top of my worry list and act like everything else falls underneath that umbrella. But simple Forrest Gump knew better. Having lots of money wouldn’t solve all our problems and might introduce others. 

Sure, I’d like to have more money, but would that fix all my contentment issues? Nope. It’d just be one less thing. 

By Mark Stuart 

Mark is the husband of Laura, father of Shelby and Jacob (Bailey), and grandfather of Charley.