His blessings flow

 The Purpose of Surplus

God wants us to know Him as extravagant.  He is extravagant in His grace towards all of His children, and in providing.  He wants us to trust Him, and displays over and over again that He will provide.  God is not wasteful.  His provisions are gifts, and just like a gift given to a friend, there is an ongoing and growing relationship-trust- involved.  If you were to find out the gifts you were giving a friend were being squandered, used to hurt or manipulate others, or were not actually bringing the results you intended, you would stop giving gifts.  If you knew that your friend showed off the gift, never giving you credit for it, and became increasingly selfish, even keeping you at a greater and greater distance, you also would stop giving gifts.  I'm not saying God is like us, His grace and power means He has many more options to get our attention before He cuts us off completely, but He recognizes what is good for us, and His desire is for us to further the work He puts before us.

Throughout the Scriptures, we see God being extravagant, both in his grace toward us and his provision.  When God identifies a loyal and generous heart, He knows He can train them to be His hands and feet.  Through that messenger, He will provide more than enough, with a purpose that furthers His Kingdom, which is drawing His children to Him, and is never to be wasted.

For example, through Joseph, God revealed to Pharaoh that seven years of plenty (surplus) would come before seven years of famine. (Genesis 41) The reason for the surplus was to store some of it for the coming famine, which saved Egypt and the neighboring nations, including the family of Israel.

Another example is David's extravagant gifts of gold, silver, iron, stones, and other materials for building the temple. (1 Chronicles 29) God provided this wealth to David through gains from defeating the enemies of Israel and the tributes paid to him throughout his reign by foreign nations.  David only needed some wealth for himself and his household. Though he gave a large part of this wealth away, we know His family was well cared for, a testament to God's faithfulness to provide abundantly for our needs. This surplus provided by God was destined for the building of the temple, and David was faithful to recognize it and give this surplus for its intended purpose.

There are dozens of examples like this in the Scriptures. God is generous to provide not just what's necessary but much more, and always with a purpose. The apostle Paul affirms this truth in his letter to the Corinthians. He writes, "And God will generously provide all you need. Then, you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others." (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT - Emphasis added)

Even in adoption, we must see that He has given us plenty, and that we still have left over to share with others.  

Our adoption itself is a picture of abundance:  God didn’t stop at saving us; He adopted us, called us His children, and made us heirs of His Kingdom (Romans 8:15–17).  Making us heirs of His Kingdom took us beyond survival. As heirs of the God who created, who can multiply His creation, we have access to abundance.

As an adoptive family, your home displays the gospel—love overflowing, grace extended, hearts expanded. Every need that arises becomes another opportunity for God to prove His sufficiency.  This is His desire, and it delights Him.  He wants us to recognize Him and what He is doing on the daily.

Reflection Questions:

Where do you see a “scarcity mindset” showing up in your family life?  Is it time, physical resources, maybe relational- grace and bonding?  Take some time to write out your struggles.  Remember, Hebrews 4:15, Jesus understands our struggles and He intercedes for us.


What would it look like to live like God’s abundance is already yours?  What would you stop saying/doing?  What would you start saying/doing?  Make a chart headed "stop" and "start", and pray over and write out what the Holy Spirit tells you.   


What small act of generosity could you offer this week to reflect His heart?  Each day pray for at least one thing you can do to reflect the heart of God.  Maybe it's extending grace for an irritating habit of a family member, and seeking to understand.  Maybe it's setting aside money or canned goods (etc) to give to the next person you see whom God pricks your heart for.  Maybe it's something you do for your spouse.  There are so many things we could be doing on the daily, in the moments, that would bless God's heart, and instead we pass up the opportunities.  Make a plan each day and set yourself up for success: believing whatever resources you use He will refill.  

You will eventually see that He not only refills, but overflows. 

Consider this:  the more we say "yes" to God, the more He will bless us- because He sees an ambassador who allows His blessings to flow.

Pray with me:

Lord, Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the God of abundance. You never run out of grace, wisdom, or provision. Forgive me for the times I’ve focused on what I lack instead of Who You are. Teach me to live open-handed and open-hearted, trusting that You multiply whatever I surrender. Let our family be a living example of Your overflowing love. 

In Jesus’ name, amen.