I’m Just a Guy: Wrestling With MoneySample

The Lust of the Eyes

The lust of the eyes stole my joy from the Christmas season for far too long. As the man of the house, I placed enormous pressure on myself to ensure everyone got exactly what they wanted each year. I would start with a budget, but the moment my kids mentioned something not on the list, it became an obsession to make sure it found its way under the tree.

The pressure started after Halloween, and by Christmas Eve, it became a full-blown pressure cooker. Credit cards were swiped, and caution was thrown to the wind. To make matters worse, whenever we visited friends during the holidays, I found myself comparing the mountain of presents under their tree to ours. Often, it was obvious we had fewer gifts, and that gap created a heavy sense of guilt that was hard to shake.

Guilt, mixed with a relentless desire for more, became the perfect recipe for the lust of the eyes to take root. I had to ask myself: Would there ever be an end to my desire for more? What was the perfect number of gifts? What was the perfect item that would finally satisfy my children’s wishes? And why was I tying my success as a man to such a superficial metric as the number of Christmas presents?

The tipping point came when I realized chasing the mirage of “just one more thing” would never satisfy. If I believed contentment could be bought or wrapped in paper, I would never find peace. Maybe that’s why so many families are stressed beyond belief at Christmas instead of actually enjoying what the season represents.

A reframe was necessary. It started by calling out the thought every time I heard myself say, “I want to have something.” That small act of recognition became the first step toward breaking the cycle. It was my way of surrendering the struggle to God rather than trying to control it myself.

That practice has been a powerful part of my stewardship journey. It helped me rewire what the enemy had quietly planted in my heart—the hunger for more. The beautiful truth is that when the world says, “More,” Jesus says, “Enough.”

Perspective is so crucial for our spiritual growth. He gently reminded me that presence is greater than presents, and that my worth as a father isn’t measured in wrapping paper but in love, time, and intentionality. God began helping my eyes to see what truly matters—and the freedom to let go of everything that doesn’t.

Solomon captured it perfectly when he warned us that no amount of money or possessions will ever satisfy (Ecclesiastes 5:10). True contentment can only be found in Christ.

Reflection Questions:

1. Where have you noticed the “lust of the eyes” creeping into your life?
2. How has comparison stolen your contentment lately?