The burden of excess

As we step into another hectic Christmas shopping season, the weight of excess once again presses upon us. Today’s world has burdened us with the challenge of having far too much. Each year, we’re conditioned to purchase gifts for loved ones and friends as part of the Christmas tradition, leading to overwhelming excess from childhood through adulthood. Toys played with only once, clothes and gadgets rarely used—or sometimes left untouched for years until they end up in charity shops—create an endless cycle of accumulation. Eventually, this surplus becomes overwhelming.

When Jesus taught us to pray, He urged us to ask only for our daily bread, imparting profound wisdom. Each day, we seek the nourishment we need, trusting that God will provide what’s required. But when we buy more than what we need for today, we stockpile items that may become unnecessary in time. Even the Israelites were instructed not to gather more manna than they needed each day, as such excess fuels greed—an insatiable hunger for more.

How can we resist this temptation? Before you buy, pause and ask yourself: Do I truly need this? When we honestly reflect on this question, we can reduce unnecessary purchases. Excess is a heavy load we aren’t meant to bear. As Jesus said, “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Are you feeling weighed down by the burden of excess?