Quotes:
“People with a scarcity mentality tend to see everything in terms of win-lose. There is only so much; and if someone else has it, that means there will be less for me. The more principle-centered we become, the more we develop an abundance mentality, the more we are genuinely happy for the successes, well-being, achievements, recognition, and good fortune of other people. We believe their success adds to...rather than detracts from...our lives.” - Stephen R. Covey
"I have an abundance mentality: When people are genuinely happy at the successes of others, the pie gets larger." - Stephen Covey
“To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one's own in the midst of abundance.” -Buddha
"When you focus on being a blessing, God makes sure that you are always blessed in abundance." -Joel Osteen
"Life in abundance comes only through great love." - Elbert Hubbard
Jeremiah 33:6-8; 31:31-34
Scarcity and Abundance:
Let’s group people into 3 categories: 1- Win/Lose, 2- Win/Win, 3- Lose/Lose.
As most people seem to have an either/or concept of life and living.
Win = Abundance and Lose = Scarcity.
A Scarcity Mentality (Zero Sum):
There is a limited supply/amount.
They have a very hard time sharing.
They have a hard time being happy for the success and achievements of others.
Their sense of self-worth comes from comparing their-selves to others.
To them, to Win means to “beat” others.
Proverbs 6:9-11 (NIV): “9- How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep? 10- A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— 11- and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.”
An Abundance Mentality (Plus Sum):
Understands/believes in a renewable source… a well spring.
They easily share.
They are genuinely happy for the success and achievements of others.
Their sense of self-worth comes from within their-selves and not from others.
To them, to Win means wining with others.
Scarcity is a win/lose and therefore, ultimately a lose/lose mentality.
Abundance is a win/win mentality.
Based on these 2 simple defections, it is easy to determine that Jesus was a posse-er of a Win/Win(Abundance) mentality.
And of course He is our perfect (complete) example.
"Start with the end in mind." –Stephen Covey
Jesus enriched the lives of all those He came in contact with.
He gave much more than He took.
Do you?
John 6:5-12 “5- When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? 6- And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. 7- Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. 8- One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, 9- There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? 10- And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11- And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. 12- When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.”
In Physics, God made it such that energy can be converted from one form to another and then back again. This is truly remarkable; and yet, what is even more amazing is the fact that during the process of this conversion there is no net loss of energy; never.
Example (Kinetic & Gravitational Potential Energy): When a small weight is placed on the end of a string and suspended, it can be lifted thereby increasing its gravitational potential energy. If I let go of it, it begins to swing because of the force of gravity is converted into kinetic energy. When the weight reaches the upper limit of its arc that kinetic energy is converted back into potential gravitational energy. The reason the weight pauses at the top of its arc is because there is no kinetic energy present as it has just converted into gravitational potential energy. After the pause, since there is nothing to restrain the energy, it is presently converted back into kinetic energy and the weight progresses toward a reverse swing. As there is no loss of energy, this would continue on and on… however, with each passing cycle, some energy is transformed into heat due to the friction of wind resistance (air drag).
Potential Energy, is energy bound up, waiting for a chance to transform in to kinetic energy.
Kinetic Energy, is energy in use, in application.
A scarcity mentality says that there is only so much out there and it must be buried in the soil.
An abundance mentality says that there is more than enough for all and it must be shared and thereby multiplied.
Joel prophesied, that God would “pour out His Spirit on all flesh”.
Jesus in Acts chapter 1 told His Disciples, “to wait here until you be endued with power.” (Potential).
Acts 2:1-4 “1- And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2- And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3- And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4- And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Then they immediately began to transform that Potential Holy Ghost power/energy into Kentic (action/application) energy:
Acts 2:41 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
"With Him the calf is always the fatted calf; the robe is always the best robe; the joy is always unspeakable; and the peace passes understanding. There is no grudging in God’s goodness. He does not measure His goodness by drops like a druggist filling a prescription. It comes upon in floods. If only we recognize the lavish abundance of His gifts, what a difference it would make in our lives!" - Haddon Robinson
"The world is full of abundance and opportunity, but far too many people come to the fountain of life with a sieve instead of a tank car ... a teaspoon instead of a steam shovel. They expect little and as a result they get little."
As the song says:
You are my strength when I am weak, You are the treasure that I seek,
When I fall down You pick me up, When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all, Worthy is Your name.
