
Abundant Living Versus A Life of Abundance
~Joel’s Blog
What We Focus On Matters
Abundance has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? Google the word and see what pops. At the time I checked it provided a mere “77,800,000 results.” That seems like quite a few to me. Even a lot.
Merriam-Webster provides this definition:
Who wouldn’t want “ample quantity”? How about “wealth” and “affluence”? If you’re living in a First World country, this will not be a new idea to you, since you’ve been raised in a culture that is impregnated with the desire for these types of “abundance.”
Where’s The P
roblem?
How often, though, do we simply accept, unthinking (like a zombie), the notion that abundance is a thing to be sought? Even expected? I bet if you randomly asked people to define “abundance” you’d hear something matching Merriam-Webster’s definition. There’s going to be a money component to it. Along with a very real expectation that there’d be an accompanying financial peace and lack of worry. No more concerns about paying bills, saving for a rainy day, college funding, having enough for retirement, being able to do what you please, etc.
Is there a difference, then, between a life of abundance and an abundant life?
Jesus seemed to say so to the heckler in the crowd:
15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:15 (TNIV)
Gifts for the Heart
So, the abundant life isn’t the same as a life of abundance. Indeed, a quick perusal of Scripture provides these 21 words for encompassing an abundant life:
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
- Patience
- Kindness
- Goodness
- Faithfulness
- Gentleness
- Self-control
- Compassion
- Purity
- Humility
- Optimism
- Faith
- Character
- Wisdom
- Enthusiasm
- Dignity
- Confidence
- Honesty
- Modesty
Curious, isn’t it, that none of these things can be purchased out of one’s wealth (abundance of cash), but only received (abundance of gifts).
So what are your thoughts? Do you see or experience a difference in your view of abundance? How so? What difference does it make?
Engage here. Who do you know that could benefit from exploring or expanding their understanding of abundance?
PS: Nabbed the genie pic from this site.