The Road To: Abundance or Scarcity

The Road to: Abundance or Scarcity

Throughout Lent, we have been experiencing the “between” or “in between.” Here are two concepts that we often find ourselves between, abundance or scarcity.  One is good, the other not so good. One may cause us to be careless, feeling free of pressure, and it may allow us to focus on other things which may be better for us.  The other causes us to worry, puts pressure on us that may cause us to miss important things. But what is between abundance and scarcity?  Is this as simple as the old cliche about the glass being half-full or half-empty? And, this “in betweenness” is not just about abundant or scarce financial resources.  More on this in a minute.

On the topic of abundance and scarcity, we find guidance from scripture : 

Matthew 6:34: "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." 

And, a well-known example: 

Matthew 14:13-21: The miracle accounting of Jesus feeding the five thousand shows abundance can come from very  scarce resources.

We find reference to scarcity and abundance in some of our cherished Christian songs and hymns:

“Amazing Grace . . . saved a wretch . . . was blind but now I see . . .”

“Morning has broken . . . praise for the morning . . .”

“Blessed be Your Name . . . when the darkness closes in , Lord . . . still I’m gonna say . . .  Blessed be Your Name . . .”

In the above scriptural guidance and musical references, we find an array of hope and worry, lack of clarity and understanding, fear and assurance – all of these are part of the abundance–scarcity tension. So, it’s not just financial in scope.

What do others say?

Abundance comes from within. It comes from thought, intention, attention, and expectation.  Deepak Chopra

Effective people are not problem-minded; they’re opportunity-minded. They feed opportunities and starve problems.  Peter Drucker

The opposite of scarcity is not abundance. It is enough.  Brené Brown

I would argue with Brown (above), believing that the best understanding of the tension between abundance and scarcity is what we feel in our daily lives. What we feel is some measure of “enough”, which is somewhere between abundance and scarcity. This tension is very personal, very localized in each of our lives. We each will define “enough” differently. 

So, what is the meaning of “enough"? Google’s AI says:

Philosophically, "enough" represents a state of sufficiency and contentment, encouraging a shift from relentless pursuit of more to finding satisfaction in what is, and embracing simplicity and balance in life. 

This suggests that we need to value what we have, look for fewer of the excesses of striving, and redefine success based on the simple things that give us meaning and a sense of purpose.  I further suggest that God is there in the middle (the “in between”). God is in “enough.”

Where are you, philosophically, on a scale between scarcity and abundance? Measure it 0 to 10, with zero being scarcity and abundance being 10. Where do you think you should be? (Please offer your comments and experiences below)  I’m striving for a 5 to 6!

Would you say you are an abundant thinker or a scarcity thinker? How does this thinking impact your life? Have you ever made any decisions based on abundant thinking? Or, on scarcity thinking? How did that work out for you? 

What role does (or has) God play (played)?  How does God affect your thinking about this in-betweenness of “enough”?  When you think about God in your life, what does abundance or scarcity mean? Is there room for or a role that is played by scarcity? Do you pray for abundance or “enough”?

What is your prayer?

Here is my prayer about “enough”:

Lord, help me understand the concept of “enough” as a midpoint between scarcity and abundance. Show me your preference, your guidance, your wisdom to help me recognize the differences and be comfortable with “enough.” Help me to responsibly deploy those abundances that may occur. Give me the vision to identify those scarcities that also may occur and take action to bring that back to an equilibrium based on the concept of “enough.”     Amen.

Praying for you,

PB

Community Presbyterian Church
32202 Del Obispo
San Juan Capistrano. CA 92675
949-493-1502 
info@sjcpres.org