“Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine”. Psalm 16:5

“The man who is content to sit ignorantly by his own fireside, wrapped up in his own private affairs, and has no public eye for what is going on in the church and the world, is a miserable patriot, and a poor style of Christian. Next to our Bibles and our own hearts, our Lord would have us study our own times.” J. C. Ryle, 1879.

How much is enough? When asked, John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil and one of the world’s richest men said “just a little bit more.” How much is enough money? If John Rockefeller always needed a little more will you ever have enough? And how will you know when you have enough money to make you happy?

What does the Bible say about abundance? Abundance is frequently mentioned in the Bible as something God offers to those who trust in Him. Scripture says that God will provide an abundant life to those who “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” Abundance in this sense means a life full of everything you need to sustain yourself in joy and purpose.

It is a fatal mistake to assume that God’s goal for your life is material prosperity or popular success, as the world defines it. The abundant life has nothing to do with material abundance, and faithfulness to God does not guarantee success in any endeavour.

Unfortunately we live in a power driven, self-centered materialistic world. Prosperity and abundance is measured by power, position and possessions. On the other hand Jesus said that He came to bring abundant life.

Of course, we all want an abundant life, but what is it? It’s not about materialism. It’s about the more important things like faith, family and friends. The key to an abundant life is satisfaction and satisfaction is knowing and feeling that you have enough. Satisfaction is not always the fulfillment of what you want; it is the realization of how blessed you are for what you have.

To really have abundance and satisfaction, put first things first and the rest will follow. As St. Mathew said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  (Matthew 6:33)

By John Grant
Used by Permission

John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

FURTHER READING

Contentment -by Idelette McVicker

Abundant, Supernatural Life -by Bil Bright

The Spirit Filled Christian Life Explained

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