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The Abundance Mindset

Abundance has become a mindset for many folks in America. We have so much material wealth these days, that the rental of self-storage facilities is now a $18.5 billion industry. Just think — $18.5 billion just to provide people a place to put all their “stuff” they don’t have room for at home!

To some degree, prosperity in our society has hindered our ability to find people willing to hear the gospel. Sad to say, people are so focused today on the material, that they have very little time and interest in the spiritual. However, the society of Jesus’ day had the same problem (Matthew 19:16-24; Mark 10:17-25; Luke 18:18-25; 1 Timothy 6:6-10; 1 Timothy 6:17-19).

There is another facet to this prosperity problem. In the February 2005 issue of Wired magazine, contributing editor Daniel H. Pink made the following observation (see under “Abundance” section, pg. 2):

“Liberated by this prosperity but not fulfilled by it, more people are searching for meaning. From the mainstream embrace of such once-exotic practices as yoga and meditation to the rise of spirituality in the workplace to the influence of evangelism in pop culture and politics, the quest for meaning and purpose has become an integral part of everyday life. And that will only intensify as the first children of abundance, the baby boomers, realize that they have more of their lives behind them than ahead. In both business and personal life, now that our left-brain needs have largely been sated, our right-brain yearnings will demand to be fed.”

When people begin to realize that material abundance does not truly satisfy, they will begin searching for spiritual satisfaction. Unfortunately, too often people’s search for spiritual truth leads them down dangerous paths.

False spirituality and bogus religion are everywhere in our modern society, offering false hope and cold comfort to those who are motivated by self-satisfaction rather than a “love of the truth”  (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). The enticements of this world make for serious competition for people’s hearts and minds (cf. 1 John 2:15-16).

One encouraging note — as the material abundance of our modern age creates challenges and obstacles, it also creates opportunity. Given the opportunity, there will always be those who have a desire to hear the word of God, to understand it, accept it, and bear fruit, because they possess noble and good hearts (Matthew 13:23; Mark 4:20; Luke 8:15; cf. Acts 17:10-11 KJV).

While they may be few in number (Matthew 7:14; Luke 13:23), they are out there. And because they are out there, it is our mission as carriers of the gospel, to seek them out and present the good news of Christ to them (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; cf. Acts 8:25-35).

The abundance mindset of our time can produce an abundant harvest for the Lord, “if” we, as co-laborers with the Lord, uphold our responsibility (1 Corinthians 3:9; cf. Matthew 9:37-38; Luke 10:2; John 4:35) and stay busy planting the good seed and watering with encouragement those who receive it (1 Corinthians 3:6-9).

Now, let’s go out and share the “good news” and our hope of heaven with others today! (Acts 13:32 ESV; Hebrews 4:1-2 ESV; 1 Peter 1:3-4).

Related Articles:

• The Difficulty Of Having Riches And Serving The Lord
• Finding True And Lasting Satisfaction
• A Satisfied Soul Or A Thick Wallet?
• Overcoming Greed
• Learn To Be Content!
• Let’s All Be Philanthropists!