Why I Always Feel Like I Don’t Have Enough

Healing a Hoarder’s Mentality Through Faith and Trust in God

Growing up, I was taught that we couldn’t afford good things.

We reused everything. Birthday gifts had to be cheap or re-gifted. Nice things were saved for “later”, but sometimes later never came. My mum was (and still is, to some extent) a hoarder. She held onto objects and money tightly, driven by fear that we might not have enough one day.

Now that I’m older, I realise I’ve inherited parts of that mindset. I struggle to spend on things that bring me joy. I save the nicest things for “someday.” I fear that if I enjoy too much now, I won’t have enough later. Even when I do have enough.

But this isn’t just a practical issue.
It’s a spiritual one.

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The Scarcity Mindset Is a Spiritual Battle

Recently, a friend told me about her five-month break between jobs due to mental burnout. She went traveling, spent time resting, but always wrestled with the thought:
"What if I run out of money?"

And yet, she told me: “When I really looked at my bank account, I actually had more than enough.”

Her words hit me hard.
Because I realised I often act poor, even when I’m not.

And it’s not about income. It’s about trust.
Do I trust that God will provide again?
Do I trust that He is enough?

What the Bible Says About “Enough”

🕊 Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my Shepherd; I lack nothing.”

This verse convicts me every time I’m tempted to hoard, hide, or cling to what I have out of fear. If God is my Shepherd, then I already have what I need. And what I don’t have right now, I must not need just yet.

🕊 Matthew 6:31-32 “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’... Your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”

Scarcity says: I need to protect myself.
Faith says: My Father already knows what I need.

When I forget this truth, I become a spiritual orphan - thinking it’s all up to me to survive. But I'm not abandoned. I'm cared for by a God who provides manna for each day - not too little, not too much (Exodus 16).

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Signs You Might Be Living with a Hoarder’s Mentality

You save your best for “someday” (but someday never comes)
You feel guilty spending money - even on good, necessary things
You hoard physical items “just in case”
You hesitate to give, fearing you won’t have enough left
You say things like, “I can’t afford to be generous right now”

If any of those resonate with you, you’re not alone. But God doesn’t want us to live in fear of lack. He wants us to live in the freedom of enough.

How Faith Heals the Scarcity Mentality

1. Let God Redefine “Enough”

God's version of abundance doesn't always mean more. Sometimes, it means less - but with peace, joy, and freedom from fear.

2. Give, Even When It Feels Risky

Generosity is one of the fastest ways to break a scarcity stronghold. It’s a declaration that God is my source, not my salary, savings, or stuff.

“Give, and it will be given to you…” Luke 6:38

3. Use the Good Stuff Now

God doesn’t withhold His best from us. Why should we withhold it from ourselves? He’s not stingy. He’s not waiting for us to prove ourselves. His love is lavish, and we can reflect that by letting go of fear and enjoying what He’s already given.

4. Remember You’re Not a Slave Anymore

Fear of lack is a form of slavery. But in Christ, we’re no longer bound to it.

“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption…” Romans 8:15

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FAQs

Q: Is it okay for Christians to save money?

A: Yes, it’s not only okay, it’s biblical. Saving money can be an act of wisdom and stewardship when done with the right heart. The Bible encourages planning ahead and being diligent with what we’ve been given (see Proverbs 21:20 and Luke 14:28). But it becomes a problem when saving is driven by fear, control, or a lack of trust in God. That’s when it slips into a scarcity mindset rather than Spirit-led stewardship.

The key is why you're saving. Are you saving because you're preparing wisely for the future, or because you’re afraid God won’t provide again? There’s a big difference. Christians can absolutely save money, but we’re not called to hoard out of fear. We’re called to steward out of peace.

Q: How do I trust God instead of money?

A: You start by shifting your security. Money feels tangible, predictable, but it’s not unshakeable. God is. Trusting Him means reminding yourself that your income, savings, and success are tools, not your true source. It’s about placing your confidence in the Provider, not just the provision.

Practically, it looks like choosing obedience over anxiety. Giving when it feels risky. Praying before spending. Letting go of control. And most of all, soaking in Scriptures that anchor your heart in truth, like Matthew 6:33 and Philippians 4:19. It’s not a one-time decision; it’s a daily surrender.

Q: Why do I struggle to be generous?

A: Because generosity isn’t just about money, it’s about trust. Many of us struggle to be generous because deep down, we’re afraid: What if I won’t have enough? What if I need this later? That fear often comes from past experiences, scarcity mindsets, or a belief that we have to take care of ourselves because no one else will.

But God’s kingdom flips that thinking. Generosity is an act of faith, it says, God will take care of me. It’s not about how much you give, but whether you give from a place of freedom instead of fear. If you’re struggling with it, don’t beat yourself up. Ask God to soften your grip and open your hands, one small step at a time.

Final Thoughts: Enough Is Not a Number

If I’m honest, I still struggle with this. I still hesitate before spending, still save the “nice things” for later. But more and more, I hear God whispering, “You already have what you need.”

Jesus didn’t die so I could live in fear. He died so I could live free.

And maybe, for me, part of that freedom looks like lighting the nice candle, eating the last piece of chocolate, and believing that there will be more.

Because with God… there always is.

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