the fact of abundance VS the myth of scarcity

Had a great time teaching at our midweek service. For those who missed it, here are the major points!

• Abundance was generously expressed during creation and continued throughout history

o   Genesis 1 - "Be fruitful and increase in numbers" can be noted all throughout

o   Psalm 104 - a recognition of God's abundance in creation

o   Psalm 150 - a recognition of God's goodness to show His abundance

• Scarcity was introduced in the Bible when Pharaoh dreamed about a coming famine

o   Up until that time, blessing was the order of the world.

o   Genesis 47:13 - "There was no food...the famine was severe"

o   Geneses 47:19 - Desperate people gave in to scarcity and offered themselves as collateral to gain food

• The world's scarcity will never affect God's abundance

o   Genesis 47:27 - "They...were fruitful and increased greatly in number"

o   Exodus 1:7 - "But the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied greatly and became exceedingly numerous."

• God's abundance is a threat to people who are mentally scarce

o   Exodus 1:9-10 - "Look...the Israelites has become too numerous...we must deal shrewdly with them!"

o   Exodus 1:15-22 - Pharaoh tried to limit God's abundance to meet his level of scarcity.

• The absolute truth of God's abundance will always prevail

o   Exodus 12:32 - after the final plague (taking of the first born) Pharaoh urges the Israelites to leave and bless him as they move out.

• Our everyday Christian life is an ongoing battle between the absolute fact of God's abundance versus the myth of scarcity.

o   Mark 6:30-44 - The disciples witnessed the miraculous feeding of Five thousand people with a couple of small fishes and 5 loaves of bread.

o   Mark 8:1-3 - The disciples failed to apply God's abundant provision in the same situation

•  Acknowledging God's abundance is a well balanced spiritual life

o   We have a responsibility to work AND believe that God will provide for our needs

o   We must act on a situation AND understand that God will have the final say

• Contentment is the mental attitude that will compliment God's abundance

o   Philippians 4:11-13 - Apostle Paul learned that the secret in being content is understanding the Deity Who is providing you strength!