How much is enough?

How much do you need now? A bachelor living with parents may say $1000 per month, but a father of 4 teenagers (6 cars, 2 wives, and 3 crocodiles) may say that he needs to spend $80,000 per month.

How much do you think you'll need in the future? If Jesus doesn't come back in my generation, I may have another 70 years to live. Then again, I may not be living alone. I may have to feed 1,000 orphans, 5,000 drug addicts, or maybe just one or two dogs. And a wife, because wives tend to outlive their husbands by 8 years (I wonder why).

When you take up insurance, forget about investment-linked insurance, because after 50 years, you probably have nothing left. Go figure. If you plan to insure yourself, consider how much you (and your family) need in the future, and how much you can spend on the premium in the next few years. Take into account the inflation rate and rising costs of medical services. Then settle with what you can afford.

If you consider investments, try not to use it unless if necessary. Otherwise your investment will be like a runner running with an open parachute.

Compound interest is the most powerful tool in history. $100,000 becomes $1,000,000+ in 25 years at 10% interest. And it becomes $1,500,000+ 4 years later. Consider what will happen if you add $10,000 annually.

Enough is never enough. With so much temptations in the world, God had to remind us that Thou shalth not covet thy neighbours' 4 wives, Taylor guitars, BMWs, plasma TVs and diamond noserings (Exo 20:17). Doesn't mean that you can't have more than your neighbours though :P

It's not good to work for more than enough. Too much honey is not good for you (Pro 25:27). It's ok to earn supernormal salary, but don't forget your health, and other things that matter in life. So set a realistic goal for your life, and don't forget to enjoy it.

Be content with what you have in every situation (Phil 4:11-13). True contentment is irrelevant of wealth (Ecc5:10-11), but is found in relationship with God.