By REV. DR. DARRYL WOOD / Guest Columnist

Anytime I travel down Interstate 65 south of Montgomery, a compelling urge strikes me to stop at Priester’s Pecans near Fort Deposit. I caved to that magnetic pull recently on a business trip to Mobile.

The nutty delicacies draw a crowd. Best of all, the proprietors lay out free samples around the candy display. I partake joyfully.

On this visit, I noticed one lady circling the table holding a coffee cup. As she passed around the display, she helped herself to the treats and deposited them into the cup. Round and round the table she circled. Eventually, her cup runneth over. The woman sauntered over to the coffee stand and found a lid for her treasure.

I spied no sign that limited her outtake. And no “pecan police” walked the beat. But you would think she might have exercised a little good sense restraint.

Before you get too critical, don’t we all tend to go overboard on occasion? Jesus addressed that weakness in people with a parable about a farmer. He reaped a harvest so bountiful that he had to build extra barns for storage. The man reveled in his excess. Jesus, however, stated that a person is really poor who obtains excessive treasure and finds himself bankrupt spiritually. (Luke 12:16-21)

How do you know when you have “enough?” That’s the big question. Folks ask themselves, “Do I have ‘enough’ to retire? Will my bank account contain ‘enough’ to buy all those Christmas presents? Have I got ‘enough’ for that extended winter vacation?”

You can be so consumed with accumulating “enough” that you forget what’s most important. Look to the Lord whose love is always sufficient. His abundant supply meets your greatest need. And if you travel south soon, tell the folks at Priester’s I said hello. Enjoy some free samples. But use your coffee cup for coffee.

The Rev. Dr. Darryl Wood is pastor of First Baptist Church of Vincent. You can reach him at dwood132@bellsouth.net.