When life feels overwhelming it can easily lead to a negative, unproductive spiral if you aren’t careful. A scarcity mentality can sap the life out of life. You know how it works: “I don’t have enough energy, so I will do as little as I can to get by;” “I don’t have much money, so I won’t do anything fun with my money or give any away;” “I don’t feel like I have any time, so I won’t play or serve anyone else.” When resources feel scarce, our natural inclinations may lead us astray.

The Kingdom of God is plenteous! Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) Jesus gives you abundant life. Realizing and experiencing that life, however, often requires a change of mindset. We need to develop an abundance mentality. I am not suggesting that we deny real and concrete limitations and boundaries, just that we not get caught in scarcity thinking.

Sometimes people think that if their resources were multiplied – if they had more money, more “free” time, more energy, then they would be able to have an abundance mindset. The Bible, conversely, indicates that the opposite is true. Generosity usually precedes abundance and multiplication. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” (2 Corinthians 9:6) God is generous and provides abundantly for His creation. This is His nature. Consider the amount of seeds in a sunflower or the number of acorns in one oak tree or the number of people on the earth.

Because He is generous, “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8) If you sow generously with your life – your time, your energy and your money, you will see many things happen. If you give of yourself, loving and serving people with a Kingdom abundance mindset you will generate Kingdom fruit.

Who do you see to be more fruitful, those who live abundantly or those who live scarcely – waiting and hoping for abundance come? Which kind of person is more attractive to you? Take some time to consider your own mindset, sowing and reaping, and how God might increase the harvests in your life. There is no need to be afraid in Jesus. God is with you. He will lead you and provide for you. Just make sure you don’t get caught in the scarcity trap. Be generous and watch things multiply around you – in due time.

Seeking to be generous with you,

Pastor Tom Griffith

This entry was posted on Friday, September 28th, 2007 Friday @ the River. Subscribe to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.