Pastor’s Corner: “Scarcity or Abundance?”
Psalm 31:19 (NIV) – 19 How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.
My grandparents lived during The Great Depression. Times were tough, and paying jobs were hard to find. Frugality was the word of their day. I remember after my grandfather passed away, our family was going through his and my grandmother’s things in their home getting ready to move her to assisted living. Although my grandparents had achieved a comfortable life, they still had a scarcity mindset. All through their home was packed and loaded with every kind of thing you could think of. They saved everything. The basement was stuffed in every nook and cranny with old coffee cans filled with all sorts of odds and ends. I also remember meals at our grandparent’s house, I often left hungry because the portions were frugal. They were conditioned to think “scarcity” because their circumstances indicated provision was scarce, spotty and uncertain. They continued this mindset even when they were blessed. As Christians we often continue a scarcity mindset even though we have been blessed and blessed abundantly!
Did you know that many Christians are scarcity thinkers? They tend to dream small, plan small and pray small because they live in the land of little, lack, and not enough. They tend to hoard the resources and blessings God has given them because they think there may not be any more coming their way. We are afraid of not having enough time or resources. Will I have enough time to do what I desire? Will I have enough money to provide for my family? So often we replay shortage and insufficiency in our minds.
Can you relate to having a scarcity mindset? We fall into it when we dwell on thoughts like these: I have too much to do and not enough time. I don’t have enough patience to deal with my kids. My living room couch is worn out, but I don’t have the money to replace it. If we view life through the lens of scarcity, we will always be fearful and anxious.
Yet God has blessed us with abundance and more than enough provision. His resources and power are limitless. One of my favorite passages is Ephesians 3:20-21: “Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory …” This passage teaches us that God is a big God who can do not only more than I ask or think but “exceeding abundantly” more!
So how do we live the abundant life Jesus promises? What if, instead, we chose to rehearse in our minds the truth from God’s Word about His abundance? Psalm 31:19 gives us words to remind ourselves of God’s generosity. Each time we affirm God’s abundance, we move one step closer to believing we have enough. “How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.” Psalm 31:19
Our Heavenly Father has an ample supply of all we need. We have more than enough time to do everything He calls us to, according to His plan, on His timeline. We have all the money we need because God provides abundantly according to His riches in glory. God gives us more than enough grace for each day. Even when you feel like you’re hanging on by a thread, God is able to empower you with the grace, joy, and strength you need. His grace is always sufficient!
The Father invites us to a share in his kingdom where there is a different mindset, where there is abundance. A scarcity mentality is not for a disciple of Jesus. He wants us to have a stewardship mentality of all that the Father has generously put into our hands. If we are able to lift our eyes above the physical realm, then we’re able to look at a world beyond.
We are human. We fail to remember what God has done and therefore what he is capable of doing presently. It is important to remind ourselves over and over how God has provided in the past. That could be why “remember” is one of the overarching themes of Scripture, occurring some 269 times because God knows how easily we forget. Our definition and understanding of whatever “scarcity” and “abundance” means is shaped by remembering who God is, what God cares about, and how God does things. And that shapes our trust and confidence.
I’m not sure what lack you’re facing today. Let us choose to turn our thoughts to the abundance and generosity of God instead of focusing on our shortfalls and deficiencies?
Heavenly Father, we praise you for your goodness and generosity. Thank you for the many ways you have cared for us and blessed us. Lord, you know our present needs. Help us to trust you with them. Forgive us for focusing on what we lack. Open our eyes to your abundant provision and loving care.
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton