When I say living in abundance many people probably think about mansions, sports cars and house maids.
Others will think of an abundance of dirty clothes, messy rooms and sticky fingers.
If you’re a farm girl like me, you may think of bushel baskets filled to the brim with produce or shelves lined with Mason jars filled with home-canned delights.
Paul tells us in Philippians 4 that he knows how to live with little and how to live in abundance. He has learned to be content.
“I know how to be humbled, and I know how to have an abundance;”
Philippians 4:12
What is abundance?
Now, I have never thought of myself as a rich person so I have always looked at this verse and thought, “I need to be content with what little I have.” It wasn’t until recently that my attention shifted to the latter portion of that verse and the incredibly impactful statement Paul is making. He knows how to abound.
I am reminded of the ancient proverbian’s prayer “Lord, I ask you for two things. Don’t refuse me before I die. Keep lies far away from me. Don’t make me either poor or rich, but give me only the bread I need each day. If you don’t, I might have too much. Then I might say I don’t know you. I might say, “Who is the Lord?” Or I might become poor and steal. Then I would bring shame to the name of God.” Proverbs 30:7-9
He is saying let me have enough so I won’t steal but not so much that I think I don’t need God. It can be a real struggle to live in abundance!
The gospel of Mark shares the story of the rich, young ruler and his conversation with Jesus. He had lived a “perfect” life but wasn’t willing to give up his wealth for the Lord. This powerful story really becomes a toe stomper when Jesus says it is easier for a camel to enter into the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into heaven. This begs the question; does God hate rich people?
Absolutely not! But, as humans, we struggle to not become dependent and deceptively comfortable
in our own abilities, accomplishments and circumstances. When we think we can do it all, why do we need Jesus???
God has blessed us all abundantly by sending his son to be the redemptive sacrifice for us and by giving us his written word for guidance as well as the avenue of prayer to connect with him.
He has also promised us he will provide our basic necessities; food, clothing and shelter. (Matthew 6)
Anything and everything we have is from God
Sometimes we become prideful thinking we have done all this or that, but all good and perfect gifts come from Him (James 1). We should thank and glorify God for EACH and EVERY thing!
So, how do we live in abundance?
Recogniton
First, we have to recognize that the vast majority of us are, in fact, living a very abundant life. We may not have everything we could possibly want but (most of us) have everything that we need, plus some!
Thankfulness
After that, I believe the key is being thankful for the full and blessed lives we are living. The Lord is always good and deserves to be praised, honored and thanked regardless of our personal situations in life. However, I know I take for granted SO many of the amazing blessings he gives me and my family every day!
I am reminded of the Children of Israel. As they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, God miraculously provided water, food and an easy to follow GPS system. Yet they constantly complained about everything! God had brought them out of brutal slavery and they continued to complain and cry saying they wanted to go back to Egypt because the food was better.
Numbers 11:4-6 “Some people among them began to wish for other food. Again the Israelites began to cry out. They said, “We wish we had meat to eat. We remember the fish we ate in Egypt. It didn’t cost us anything. We also remember the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we’ve lost all interest in eating. We never see anything but this manna!”
I mean, I like cucumbers as much as anyone, but really?? They wanted to give up their freedom for some veggies? As ridiculous as that sounds, I have done the same thing many times. I have bitterly complained about a situation I was in and begged for an outcome that I thought was best. Lord, forgive my short-sightedness!! My heart overflows with gratitude that HE is in control and I am not!
Use your talents
Lastly, I think it is very important how we USE our abundance. Are we hoarding? Are we unwilling to serve others whether it be with our time, money or friendship? Are we selflessly sharing our talents, great or small? Or do we bury them, fearing for our own selves? Matthew 25:14-30 teaches about this through a powerful parable. I recommend reading it if you haven’t!
As Christians, we are called to be courageous in our faith. Showing and sharing Christ’s love everywhere we go and to everyone we encounter.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, I believe in this country we are so incredibly blessed! Blessed with freedom, opportunity and relative wealth. God has been so merciful and gracious and has given to us abundantly. He calls us to be aware, be thankful and use that abundance for HIS glory. My eyes have been opened and my heart has been touched by his greatness. I encourage each of you to look for, and fearlessly use, the abundant blessings he has given you to further HIS kingdom.
Matthew 6:25-33 “I tell you, do not worry. Don’t worry about your life and what you will eat or drink. And don’t worry about your body and what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than eating? Aren’t there more important things for the body than clothes? Look at the birds of the air. They don’t plant or gather crops. They don’t put away crops in storerooms. But your Father who is in heaven feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than they are? Can you add even one hour to your life by worrying? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the wildflowers grow. They don’t work or make clothing. But here is what I tell you. Not even Solomon in all his royal robes was dressed like one of these flowers. If that is how God dresses the wild grass, won’t he dress you even better? Your faith is so small! After all, the grass is here only today. Tomorrow it is thrown into the fire. So don’t worry. Don’t say, ‘What will we eat?’ Or, ‘What will we drink?’ Or, ‘What will we wear?’ People who are ungodly run after all those things. Your Father who is in heaven knows that you need them. But put God’s kingdom first. Do what he wants you to do. Then all those things will also be given unto you. So don’t worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
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Meet Mollie
Mollie is a lover of Jesus above all. She loves her husband and family and enjoys gardening, teaching, piano, riding, and farming. She lives in SW Colorado with her husband and five kids.
“Be thankful and use that abundance for His Glory.” I love that statement. And I could not agree more. Even in the leanest times of my life, when I had to put things back at the checkout line in the grocer because I lacked the cash, The Lord has provided an abundance. He gave us abundant intelligence to learn ways to still thrive when the tough times come, and they will! He gave us examples in His Word of times when those with abundance shared with those who were not so blessed with a lot of money or food. I LOVE the challenge of both giving and living with an “abundance mindset.” Thank you for this meaningful post about How To Love In Abundance, Mollie! I really was fortunate to have read it!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I have had so many times that, like you, I have been unsure of how to pay some bill or buy groceries and God has ALWAYS provided in one way or another. It is so faith building to see him keeping his promises and going above and beyond. Our God is so good and faithful! Thanks for your comment!