Give up a scarcity mindset and enjoy God’s wealth.
One of the most egregious examples of scarcity thinking is the wealthy individual that continues to add wealth and refuses to be generous with it. The richest 1% of the world own 45% of the world’s wealth, to illustrate.
But you don’t have to be uber wealthy to have scarcity thinking. Anyone who clings to what they own and is not generous toward others is guilty of it too. This is why God wanted Israel to trust him in the Wilderness. He taught them not to collect more manna than they needed for the day. Every day they had just enough. Those who tried to collect two days’ worth awakened the next morning to a stinking mess.
Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. “[Jesus said] ‘ I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others. . . For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.’” Mark 12:41-44.
“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me . . . Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so that there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do, says the Lord, I will open the windows of heaven for you.” Malachi 3:8-10.
Question: Would you say you are stingy or generous with what you have? What portion of your income do you set aside for contributing?
Activity: Make a plan to include God and others in your monthly budget.
Prayer: God of abundance, we confess that we are fearful and grasping when it comes to our money. We don’t like it when we are challenged about how we spend it. We know, when we are honest that we are afraid we won’t have enough. Please loosen the strings of our hearts so that we will turn loose, be generous, and trust you. In Jesus’ name we pray this. Amen.