Intro to Abundance
September 28, 2021
Alright friends, I want to get real right off the bat. Show of hands. Who else has struggled with battling a competitive spirit? Seeing others cruising along in your metaphorical lane, and viewing them as your competition rather than your teammate. I know I can’t be the only one who has battled this mindset. It’s suffocating, isn’t it? That feeling of always needing to come out on top. It’s also isolating. You end up working and striving on your own rather than leaning on a team.
If you struggle with this also, let me relieve you a little without completely letting you off the hook. Every single person has tendencies towards selfishness. We don’t need to be educated on how to put ourselves first, it comes naturally. It’s no surprise that we all struggle in one area or another. It fleshes out differently for everyone. One of mine is competition, maybe you struggle with the same, or yours is something else.
But, here’s the good news - we don’t have to stay there. Friends, God has given us a way to do away with the old self (those natural human inklings), and to become a new creation.
The Abundance Collective was born out of this notion.
Let me introduce a concept to you called the scarcity mentality verses the abundance mentality.
Scarcity sees others as competition because it views opportunities as limited. If opportunities are limited, you have to fight for your spot and fight to keep it. On the other hand, abundance sees others as teammates working towards the same goal. Abundance sees more opportunities and more possibilities. It leads to abounding creativity in order to make an impact for Christ. After all, he came so that we might have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). In Christ, there is more than enough.
I know this to be true through Scripture. 1 Corinthians 12 gives us a list of different gifting the Holy Spirit gives to believers in order to use in the church. If he gifts each of us uniquely, surely he has a purpose in giving those gifts. Our God who desires to give life abundantly doesn’t worry about lack of opportunities. If he gifts you, he will also give you opportunities to use your gifts. It’s your responsibility if and how you use them.
Realizing my tendencies towards scarcity was hugely eye-opening for me. So much so, that it lead me to start up this ministry. The Abundance Collective is a way for Jesus followers to be able to utilize their giftings in serving the body of Christ. After giving us a list of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul goes on to list the different parts of the body and how all the parts are equally important and necessary. In the same way, each Jesus follower has their own strengths and giftings to use in Kingdom service. The King will give you opportunities to work and serve - we don’t have to fight to receive those opportunities. There is more than enough available if you are willing.
It’s no wonder that God gave us huge chunks of Scripture dealing with unity and the importance of functioning as a body rather than an isolated unit. We see a lot of these in the New Testament letters.
Let me list a couple:
“Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4
“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:12-17
“Live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism” Ephesians 4:1b-5
We fall into the scarcity mindset because we forget that we each have a unique calling to serve One Lord. We do that within One Body - the church - not separate small factions, not person against person.
We can live out abundance when we realize that, in Christ, there is more than enough. He will do exceeding, abundantly more than we can ever imagine, if we are submitted to him, and willing.
So let’s make this applicable for you, friend! In what way has God gifted you? He has a clear purpose for your life, and has made provisions for you to live your purpose out. Even if you can’t pinpoint what exactly that purpose is just yet, take inventory of your gifts. What ways can you be using them? Remember, our gifts aren’t given for us to further our name. They are given for us to make His name great! Whether it be serving in your church, reaching out to others in your neighborhood, and partnering with us here at the Collective.. Use your gifts for His glory!
Reflection
This area is set aside for some personal reflection - grab a pen and notebook (or office supplies of choice) and spend some time in Matthew 25:14-30. I’ll list some reflection questions for you to pray through. I’d love for you to comment with something you learned!
The first step in going to the Word is prayer. Invite the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom which is a gift that he will give in abundance each time you ask! Spend a minute in prayer.
What is something you see about God in this passage? It can be something new he has illuminated or something you have previously known, but maybe you see it a little clearer. If you are feeling ambitious, why don’t you start a running list in your notebook, and add to it each time you read Scripture?
In the passage, which servant do you relate to the most? The two who worked hard with their talents? Or the one who was too scared to do anything with his talent?
Are you able to articulate what gifts God has given you? You can review some of the lists of gifts in Romans 12:6-8, 1 Cor. 12:8-10, 28-30, Eph. 4:7-13, & 1 Pet. 4:10-11. Also, there are some spiritual gifts tests you can take online. If you are anything like me, and nerd out about personality tests, this might be a fun thing to do. Here’s a link. Why don’t you share with us what you results are? I’d love to hear!
