John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Introduction:
As Christians, if we are called to live in the abundance of God’s provision, love, and grace, why are so many of us living in a mindset of lack—spiritually, emotionally, and even materially? Why do we say that we serve a God of abundance, and settle for scarcity?
In John 10:10, Jesus said that His purpose is that we may have life and have it abundantly. Hear me when I say this… The abundance that Jesus gives goes beyond material possessions; it encompasses every part of our lives— He came to give us abundance in our relationships, abundance in our peace, abundance in our joy, and abundance in our purpose. If Jesus came to give us abundance why do so many Christians live in lack?
Today let’s look at how to shift our mindset and lifestyle to embrace the fullness of God’s abundance.
1. We Settle for Lack because of the Lies of the Thief (fear, doubt, unbelief)
Jesus makes it clear in John 10:10 that the enemy’s goal is to “steal, kill, and destroy.” One of Satan’s most effective strategies is deceiving Christians into living in a mindset of lack. He uses lies to make us doubt God's provision and goodness, which keeps us from walking in the abundant life Jesus offers.
Fear is a paralyzing force. We see fear manifest in many areas of life, whether it's the fear of financial instability, the fear of losing relationships, or the fear of not being enough. When we become consumed by fear, we lose sight of the truth that “perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18). Jesus assures us that we don’t need to fear because He is our Shepherd who our every need (Psalm 23) The Lord is my Shepard I shall not want. But we hear the enemy whisper, “You won’t have enough,” and it causes us to cling tightly to what we have instead of trusting God to multiply it.
Doubt begins as a small question: "Will God really provide everything I need?" The first temptation in the Garden of Eden used the seed of doubt: “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1). When we start to rely more on ourselves than on God’s promises it can allow doubt to grow into disbelief. When we doubt, we can miss the abundance that God wants to pour into our lives because doubt causes us to rely on ourself and to rely on our timing and not God’s.
Unbelief is a settled conviction that God’s abundance is not for us. It’s the thought that says, “This is just how things are.” “It is what it is” Unbelief blocks us from receiving God’s blessings. In Mark 6:5-6, Jesus couldn’t perform many miracles in His hometown… Why? Because of the people’s unbelief. If we do not believe that God is able and willing to bless us, we are closing the door to His abundance.
2. How do we define God’s Abundance ?
To often in today’s world we equate abundance with material wealth, but God’s definition of abundance is much more than that.
Spiritual Abundance: This is where true wealth lies. Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven in terms of an overflowing spiritual richness. The fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)—are what marks a life lived in abundance. This kind of abundance cannot be taken away by economic downturns, we don’t lose it in a health crises, or relationship struggles. Paul, in Philippians 4:12-13, talks about learning the secret of being content in any situation: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
We need to remember…His strength and His presence are the true riches we are to seek.
God Provides for us because He knows our needs: In Matthew 6:31-33, Jesus tells us not to worry about what we will eat, drink, or wear because “your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” When we put The Kingdom of God first, we open ourselves up to His provision. That doesn’t mean we always get what we want, but it does mean He will meet every need.
God’s Generosity Overflows, and it isn’t just about receiving; it’s about overflowing with enough to share with others. In 2 Corinthians 9:8, Paul writes, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” When we live generously, God makes sure that our needs are met so that we can continue to bless others. It’s like a divine cycle: the more we give, the more God pours into us, not so we can hoard, but so we can share.
3. So, Why do Some Christians Live in Lack?
Despite God's promises, many Christians still live in lack. Sometimes it’s Because of:
Poverty Mindset: A poverty mindset is a belief system rooted in scarcity, where we focus on what we don’t have instead of what God promises. This mindset comes from fear and causes us to make decisions out of worry. Like hoarding toilet paper , this mindset makes us reluctant to give, and causes us to avoid even the smallest risk. It’s the complete opposite of faith. An abundance mindset trusts that “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). When we believe in the sufficiency of God, we operate out of peace instead of anxiety.
Neglecting the Principle of Sowing and Reaping: God’s kingdom operates on the principle of sowing and reaping. Many Christians seem to fail at understand this principle. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, Paul emphasizes that “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” This is not just about money; it applies to time, energy, and spiritual gifts. When we withhold out of fear, we miss the opportunity to receive an abundant harvest. But when we give generously, God multiplies what we sow.
Sometimes it’s because of Limited Faith: Our faith is small… We put limits on what we believe God can do, and wind up receiving according to our small expectations. If we believe God only for the bare minimum, sometimes that’s what we’ll receive. But if we believe for His abundance, trusting in His promises, we open the door for Him to bless us beyond measure.
Sometimes we Lack Obedience: God calls us to step out in faith, but we hesitate or maybe disobey because it seems too risky. In 1 Kings 17:7-16, the widow of Zarephath was living in lack. But when she obeyed God by feeding Elijah first, even though she had almost nothing, God miraculously provided for her throughout the famine. Most times, our abundance is tied to our obedience. When we listen to God and follow His leading, even when it doesn’t make sense, we put ourselves in a position to receive His provision.
4. So, How do we Move from Lack to Abundance
God doesn’t want us to live in lack. And I think He’s given us clear instructions on how to move from scarcity to abundance.
Renew Your Mind: Romans 12:2 tells us to “be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” Our thoughts shape our reality. If we are constantly thinking about what we don’t have, we will continue to live in lack. But when we renew our minds with God’s Word, when we focus on His promises and provision, it changes our perspective. We begin to see opportunities for growth and blessings where we once saw limitations. This is a daily practice, meditating on verses like Philippians 4:19, trusting that God will supply every need.
Step into Generosity: Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” The key to unlocking abundance is generosity. It seems strange — giving when we feel like we don’t have enough. But God’s economy works different than ours. When we step out in faith and give, even if it feels risky, we are planting seeds that God will multiply. Giving doesn’t just mean money. It includes our time, talents, and service to others. The more we give, the more we experience God’s provision flowing back into our lives.
Increase Your Faith: To live in abundance, you have to have faith. We are told in Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” We must trust God beyond what we can see. Faith is believing in God’s promises even when our circumstances tell us otherwise. In order To increase your faith, you’ve got to get in the Word, you gotta surround yourself with faith-filled people, and you have to remember the ways God has been faithful in the past. Start believing God for more—not for selfish reasons, but so that you can be a greater blessing to others.
Align with God’s Purpose: Abundance is always tied to God’s purpose for our lives. Matthew 6:33 gives us the key: “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” When we prioritize God’s kingdom and we align ourselves with His plans, abundance is going to follow. Why does God provide so much for us? So that we can fulfill His mission. Whether it’s sharing the Gospel, Whether its serving others, or using our resources for the kingdom, when we align with His purpose, God will always ensure we have what we need to accomplish His work.
We should Live as a Testimony of God's Abundance
Our lives should reflect God's abundant provision. When we live in God’s abundance, we become living testimonies of His faithfulness and His goodness.
One of the greatest testimonies we can have is peace in the middle of difficulty. When people see us walking through challenges with joy and peace, trusting that God will provide, they want to know how we do it.
Last but not least… When we live generously, we demonstrate God’s character to the world.
Prayer:
Father, we thank You for Your promise of abundance. Forgive us for the times we’ve lived in fear, doubt, or unbelief. Help us to renew our minds and trust fully in Your provision. Increase our faith and show us how to live generously, knowing that You will supply all of our needs according to Your riches in glory. We believe that You are a God of abundance, and we choose today to walk in that truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
