Scarcity vs. Abundance

Dana King
Jan 30
2 min read

In the Nashville area, it has been a long, hard week for many. Families have gone with out power for 100+ hours. Some areas are still without power. Our first responders, linemen, and those who keep our communities running have been working tirelessly in miserable conditions. Their families have been making sacrifices to keep things running smoothly at home. Our small businesses are feeling the pinch with closings and fewer customers. And the bitter cold is not going to let up over the weekend. All this on top of normal life complications.

The days leading up to Winter Storm Fern were a "storm" in their own right. Our local grocery stores were running completely out of many items, from cheese to chicken to bread to milk. Lines were wrapping around buildings. Entire shelving units were empty. People were stealing other people's loaded carts. Social Media was exploding with requests, updates, accusations, and excoriations. The fallen nature of man was on full display.

In any given situation, we operate with one of two mindsets, either scarcity or abundance.

Scarcity is the belief all resources are limited. It is rooted in fear and is constantly assessing what is lacking. The scarcity mindset leads to comparison, jealously, manipulation, and striving. Leah and Rachel's quest to produce the most children for Jacob is a Biblical example of a scarcity mindset (Genesis 29-30).

A mindset of abundance is born out of trust in God. It produces generosity, teamwork, celebrating others, long-term decision making, and patience. The life of Jesus is THE Biblical example of abundance.

God is a God of abundance. His resources are limitless. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10). He knows our needs and is faithful to supply them (Isaiah 58:11). He is generous with his gifts. So much so, he gave us his Son (Titus 3:4-7).

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23