Lessons from a Baby: Abundance

Not to brag about my kid, but he amazes me with his generosity. He always wants to share. Whether it's a cup of water, a toy, or a small handful of coveted chocolate chips, he loves offering some to whoever happens to be around.  The funny thing is, I never consciously tried to teach him to share.  We do share things with him, so he sees our example, but I think that there is another factor that also encourages him to be generous - he believes that there is plenty for everybody.

In contrast, our whole culture is structured around the idea of scarcity.  Deep down, we don't believe there is enough for everybody.  So we horde our money, we buy more than we need, we keep to ourselves because we're afraid.  If we are too generous we might not have enough for ourselves.  If we run out of what we need there won't be any more for us when we need it.  The message all around us is subtle but strong - take what you can, because there isn't enough.

But Steven hasn't learned that yet.  As far as he is concerned, there is never-ending abundance.  His cup can always be refilled, his toy basket is always full of toys, and there is always enough to eat, even of special treats like chocolate chips.

I hope that he never learns scarcity.

You see, I believe that scarcity is a lie.  Of course, there are limited resources in the world, and we need to respect that and use those resources wisely.  But the message of scarcity is that we need to grab whatever we can for ourselves, without regard for the earth or anyone else around us.  It promotes selfishness and greed.  The sad thing is, it's kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy, because there certainly isn't enough for everyone to be living like that!  But ultimately, it is a perspective that is rooted in fear.  We believe that we are alone in the world, and that there is no one looking out for us but ourselves.

But our God is not a God of scarcity - he is a God of abundance!  He provides all that we need, and more.  We aren't supposed to worry about how we will live, since God knows what we need and he provides for us (Check out Matthew 6:25-34).

I know that many would protest, "But what if he doesn't provide?  Look at these different situations.  That doesn't look like God providing!"  I know.  I see those situations too.  But here are a couple thoughts.  In North America, it is very rare to actually be without physical necessities.  But because we are surrounded by so much, it is easy for our definition of what we "need" to become warped.  A lot of what we feel like we need may be things that are nice to have, but aren't actually things that we truly need.

Also, while God can and does provide in miraculous ways, even today, often his ways of providing are much more commonplace.  For example, God provides for us through others.  We are not alone.  God designed us to live in community, surrounded by family and friends.  And it is often through those around us that God provides for us.  But because of our scarcity mindset, we are often hesitant to give up what we have, which can mean that someone else is going without.  Our very fear of lack can be what causes lack for others, promoting a cycle of fear and selfishness.  But that is not the life that our abundant God has called us to!

Yes, there are places and situations in the world where people struggle to get what they need to survive, but for most of us that is not the case.  We have more than enough.  But we have to choose whether to have a mindset of abundance or scarcity.  With Steven, let's live lives of abundance and share what we have been given - even the chocolate chips.