Breaking the scarcity mindset
Breaking the Scarcity Mindset
Adoptive families often live with tight schedules and tighter budgets. It’s natural to start thinking, “We don’t have enough—time, money, energy.”
Scarcity is not a reflection of reality; it’s a reflection of focus.
When we fix our eyes on lack, we lose sight of the Giver.
Check out this blog on what Jesus taught about scarcity, generosity, and abundance: https://rachelstarrthomson.com/2017/05/16/free-full-light-jesus-taught-scarcity-generosity-abundance/ Rachel explains this mindeset well.
A scarcity mindset says:
“I must hold tightly to what I have.”
“There’s not enough to share.”
“If I give, I’ll go without.”
Examples of a scarcity mindset in the Bible:
- Adam and Eve (Genesis 3): Their choice to eat the forbidden fruit is seen as a moment where they doubted God's goodness and felt he was withholding from them, leading them to do what they had been commanded not to do. When they took and eat, doubting God, they found themselves immediately lacking. Verse 7 says "then the eyes of both of them were immediately opened, and they realized they were naked." They believed God was holding back, and what they found out was disobedience leads to lack. On their own it quickly became clear they had nothing.
- The Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 15:22-17:7): Despite God providing daily manna, meat and water, the Israelites frequently hoarded it, and doubted Him when circumstances changed (or they moved to a new area) showing a fear of not having enough for the next day and a lack of trust in God's continued provision.
- Nabal (1 Samuel 25) was a wealthy but foolish and harsh man who ended up losing his life for his lack of generosity. After Nabal insulted and refused to provide for David's men, who had been protecting his shepherds, David planned to attack him. Nabal's wife, the wise and beautiful Abigail, intervened, appeased David, and saved her household. What resources are you losing because you're holding on too tight? What impact is it having on your household? Later, after Nabal got drunk, Abigail informed him of the danger, and he died from shock, after which David married Abigail.
- Disciples feeding the 5,000: When faced with feeding a large crowd, the disciples' initial reaction was based on scarcity, pointing out that they only had five loaves and two fish, which was clearly not enough.
- Disciples' argument over positions: The disciples' anger at James and John for asking to sit at Jesus's sides in his kingdom reflects a belief that positions of power or honor were limited, a zero-sum game where one person's gain was another's loss.
- Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11): When husband and wife allowed Satan's deception to cause them to hold back and lie, they- like Nabal- also died.
If we would just ask God for His eyes, we would see like He does: that we have enough to give, to love, and to keep repeating.
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