In the media, people are presented as caring more about the material things in life than spiritual things. With people striving to achieve a more comfortable life full of money, vacations, high healthcare, and remarkable activities, they lose sight of what really matters in life: sharing love, relationships, generous actions, and, especially, a relationship with God or the Almighty the reader believes in. In Will Davis’s book, Enough, he recommends giving up much of what we have in honor of God and donating to the less fortunate. He illustrates this through many heartwarming, miraculous examples that are related to the current society. God will consistently provide for a person. Davis suggests that in order to create an intimate relationship with God, a person should live a simple and holy life. Davis’s book captures and inspires readers with his descriptions of real, current human struggles in society and of how the human brain works as compared to God’s. However, if the reader is not open to Christian beliefs it will be hard to connect with Davis’ social commentary and his lessons about the Bible and God since he has never truly suffered. These religious lessons make up the base of his argument to live with less. His repetition about the importance of giving starts to bother the reader’s mind and makes them feel annoyed. And he expresses an unbelievable reality that everything will go smoothly. Also, bright and shiny rewarding experiences are only mentioned when someone glorifies God. What if the person does not know how to recognize God’s messages? How to recognize God’s tiny ways of support are not touched upon, for Davis makes the readers think that God provides for us just how we want him to, yet God really provides for us in unique ways; our desires are not perfectly met.
Will Davis, a father of three children and a husband, is the founding senior pastor of Austin Christian Fellowship church. He writes his story with compassion and experience about living the adventure of living with less. His church donates generously to missions and other Christian organizations. Davis analyzes the Bible and applies his analysis to the modern, selfish life of society today. He takes the universal ideology of “less is more” and applies it to family life. With his tips, tricks, and examples he takes the reader on a personal journey to discover how to develop a simpler lifestyle where they realize they have “enough”. Through his thought-provoking commentary, Davis shows the reader how to win the battle between fearing the simple life vs. wanting the luxurious life: by realizing the greater good in the world- our actions and resources are meant for God to use in magnificent ways that benefit other people, but also ourselves by increasing our bounty. “At least two occasions Jesus fed a multitude of several thousand people with just meager provisions. The results of the taking, blessing, breaking, and giving of Jesus are the same as well. Like the thousands for whom Jesus multiplied the fish and bread, we end up with more than we need.” (Davis 208, 211). And really, all these materials on earth will not matter in the afterlife, for only a person’s spirit and soul does matter in Heaven.
Davis describes how a family, Andrea, Jason, and their children, living in today’s society persevere through a stormy, financially difficult situation with the help of God. As the mother struggles to beat cancer, which her grandma has died from that illness, and their fellowship two key staff directors leave, they are left with more work to do in their busy schedules. Davis’ descriptions are relative to society and intrigues and relates to the reader. This current situation allows everyone to relate to this family’s endeavor because cancer affects millions of people, for everyone has dilemmas and experiences where they suffer and feel betrayed and forgotten by God. However, the rewarding financial miracles that are presented by God that comfort and bless this family baffles my mind because God provided magnificently for them.
This story is inspiring and leads the reader to think more deeply about how life operates, and I adore it because it proves God’s involvement in our lives and that the struggles of humanity will be taken care of. Davis includes a passage, written by the parents Andrea and Jason. They describe their experience when they gained more by giving than receiving: a sudden $10,000 inheritance arrived in their lives from Andrea’s grandparents, and about 10% of their money was tithed. A burden grew for Jason and Andrea in having to decide how best to handle the remaining 9,000 dollars, and they felt compelled to donate it. “We donated the remaining $9,000 to the poor at Urbana, InterVarsity mission convention” (Davis 183). Through difficult life events of cancer and business shifts, they wished they kept the money. Somewhat a coincidence, their parish knew they were in a time of crisis and generously gifted them $10,000 without knowing they gave away $10,000. God brings everyone through the storms in their lives to feel the joy of his love. Another way the book is filled with enchanting examples is by Davis seeming to read our minds by listing examples of why we underestimate giving in today's society; “We can’t solve poverty. I don't know any poor people. What am I supposed to do, go on a scavenger hunt for a poor person?” (Davis, p. 122). These are just some of his examples of why people justify not donating. They are very shocking, and it is sad that people may think that way, even myself. His deep questions are meant for our society to answer. Therefore, this book will keep the reader focused and wanting to find more ways to live a joyful life looking up to God. Also, Davis’s examples in the Bible are spot on and potent; “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done” (Prov. 19:17) (124 Davis). In real life, many people drop change into poor people’s cups or buy them lunch. Then, they feel happy, endorphins galore! Davis contemplates society’s morals and shows the morals we all wish we could continually live by, with his instances on how humans could live if they are determined and adamant enough. “Regular reality checks. People with a “less is more” mindset stay in touch with reality. It’s easy to get enamored with wealth and comfortable living and to start thinking that such things really matter. They don’t.” (Davis 199). “Outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Cor.4:16-18). (Davis 199). Our spirits truly matter.
Enough is based on the Christian faith where believers trust in someone they can not see, God, and where they take great time to examine the spiritual signs that God’s delights people with. His social commentary leaves the reader able to argue that we should not be completely dependent on God as he mentions, “We should always depend on God”, even though we should still be independent and push ourselves to be the best version of ourselves”. We can not say “I’m just going to sit back and relax and God will make me a good person. People have to try to follow God, its not an involuntary action. What if the reader isn't sure how to recognize God’s promises or rewards, though? Unfortunately, the Christian faith is challenging for people to believe in and most people are mentally not wired to be so trusting and are resistant to believing in something lacking scientific proof. So much talk about Christians drives a wedge between other religions and Christianity and it makes the readers feel so excluded and demoralized: as he mentions, “You Too Can Be an Upper Room Christian t”. (Davis 192). Also, I could see how this book would cause great stress and worry to non-Christians; they could feel “am I not doing enough, are my good deeds discounted because I’m not a Christian?”. Many people fail to recognize God in all his ways too. God’s rewards are small, quaint, and most of the time not perceived as miraculous. Davis mistakenly leads us down a path where life is grand and everything will be just fine. “This time I told him what the broker had said--that he had made a $13,000 mistake! What he said then goes down in our church’s history as one of the coolest moments of all time”. He simply said, ‘Just keep it’“(Davis 202,203). Davis creates a fake sense of reality where everything will be miraculous. Now, this is a colossal gift; Davis’ church receives thousands of dollars by accident from a guy who gave it to them mistakenly. For example, how God provides would be better understand if the example was a situation of God’s simple blessings, like a sunny day, a yummy dinner, or a good night’s
sleep. Although, this book is also designed for the upper class to live more simply and to have the fact “God will always love you” cemented in their brains. So, grand gestures are necessary. The book would be more understood by every age and gender if Davis elaborates how God shows himself and is providing for us in everyday situations. The drastic outcomes attributed to making God happy makes the reader feel, “why aren't I experiencing great joys like this person, does God like me less?” and spreads an eerie self-doubt among the readers. Now, I do not want this to discourage a reader from reading the book. His analysis of the Bible and his ideas of learning to live with less will challenge the reader’s mind in brand new ways. “God has his kingdom best in store for you, even though his plan for your life may be different from the one you’d write” (Davis 217, 218). “Part of the adventure of living with less is stepping out in faith and obedience without knowing the outcome” (Davis 218).
To conclude, Davis inspires people to be loyal to God or loyal to oneself through stunning, ancient, revolving Bible quotes relative to today’s society, which inspires us how to live simple today and treat others with compassion. Yet, Davis centers his biased persuasion around a one-way street, which is the Bible, and he gives weak examples of how science can prove living with less makes people feel better. Also, his advice to “give” may cause feelings of irateness and Davis sets a tone that “life will be perfect if you are nice.” Davis doesn't comment on the raw moments in life or give any aid to help build up grit or hope through tragic events. However, he encourages us to be better versions of ourselves by looking for options where we can to help and put our skills to work. Davis even talks about sacrificing in the Bible, one of the aspects people find unappetizing. “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (1 Cor. 12:26) (Davis 152). We are all related, which means we should care for each other like brother and sister. Overall his book is life-changing. And hopefully this one meer quote: “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed of hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:12-12)(Davis 158) This quote elicits the knowledge of how to be content and satisfied in disheartened times and makes up for the missed explanations and examples that would prove his point to live a life for God. Now, his book is extraordinary with real-life struggling situations about society, which are easy to connect with, though, it seems to spread a weak persuasion to live with less to atheists who do not believe in a God as it has a bothersome repetition of the same concepts. We shall try to learn and practice to be content by understanding and trusting God is always here for us. May you read on!