Spending and Abundance

“Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance.” Isaiah 55:2 NASB

“Too many people spend money they haven’t earned to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.” Will Rogers

The Apostle Paul said he learned to be content in plenty and want. It is a tough lesson and one we pass or fail. Test anxiety for me.

Many times we spend our time on what does not satisfy us. Movies. Cell phones. Internet. Sure, there may be good stuff like the recent series, The Chosen, but usually, it’s fluff or demeaning, heartbreaking stories. Spending time with someone, including the Father, is the highest gift because you can never get it back.

Let’s face it, the past few years have been so hard! The virus, global unrest, hurricanes, earthquakes and constant reminders of how bad it is. And money is tight. All of this has been true since the beginning of time. All of this was true in Jesus’ time. Nothing new under the sun.

It’s very true now. And we have little to no control over global events or leaders. But Paul says he was content in all ways. Our Father says to delight ourselves in abundance.

We get what we look for. We get what we ask for. Let’s ask for abundance.

But first, let’s be clear about what abundance means to us. Abundance means different things to different people. Some want an abundance of family. Some want an abundant career. Abundant health is a biggie! An abundance of love. Abundant harvest—true where I live. Abundant faith.

Solomon asked for wisdom to lead the people. He received it. In abundance. Pressed down and flowing over. Our Father was so impressed with Solomon’s request He granted riches beyond measure. People came from all over the ancient world to speak with him. Fame! He had an abundant life that was unimaginable. And with all that, Solomon was not content. The Book of Ecclesiastes warns us about the traps of wealth and fame.

From personal experience, I can tell you my husband and I were very financially comfortable before he got sick. Like a huge dump truck loaded with our money, it lumbered away. Money, like good health, can be gone in a blip. Remember the wicked king who had so much grain he built another silo to store it? He was dead that very night. The abundance was lost for everyone.

So, we are encouraged to “seek first God and the kingdom of heaven and all these things will be added to you.” From Deuteronomy, “The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.” So we do our part: Seek God in all things.

It may get very bumpy. It may cause stress. Fear. But we seek the Father through his son and it will be an abundance. The Father delights in surprising us, especially with abundance. We’re surprised by what abundance may mean to us because he knows better than we do what’s good for us.

Musings

When we get scared, let’s look to the Father. When we’re anxious, let’s give it to the Father. When weary, tell the Father. When abundance pours over us, let’s thank the Father and share.

Prayer

Dear Father,

It’s so easy to take for granted what we have in abundance today. Help us to see our abundance every day with thanks. If we’re lacking, help us to thank you and be content until changes come. You know and we know you are generous even when circumstances seem bleak. We don’t have to thank you for painful circumstances but we do need to thank you in the midst of them.

We thank you. Everything we have is not from deserving them but from your loving and generous nature.

Amen.