Living out of Abundance
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“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Have you ever been thirsty. No I mean really thirsty
So thirsty you do almost anything for a drink of water
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. -
God created us to have an insatiable thirst as we live in this world.
God created us to have an insatiable thirst as we live in this world.
When sin entered the world, so did discontentment with life.
God desires for us to seek more out of life.
The problem is we displace our desire for more because of our discontentment.
The purpose of the tension we feel with what we want and what we have is to point us to God and to eternity.
The purpose of the tension we feel with what we want and what we have is to point us to God and to eternity.
We're meant to desire more of God.
O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water" ().
God wants us to have a life of abundance.
God wants us to have a life of abundance. But in God's economy, it never has to do with acquiring worldly possessions that will one day vanish. Instead, it's all about what's eternal.
But in God's economy, it never has to do with acquiring worldly possessions that will one day vanish.
God wants us to have a life of abundance. But in God's economy, it never has to do with acquiring worldly possessions that will one day vanish. Instead, it's all about what's eternal.
Instead, it's all about what's eternal.
What We Get Wrong about Abundant Living
What We Get Wrong about Abundant Living
Instead of desiring more of God, we seek to fill our need for more with what the world can give - material possessions, fame, achievement, recognition, popularity, and accomplishments.
Then we read
, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly," and we misuse it to read that God will give us an abundance of those worldly pursuits we crave.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
What Is an Abundant Life?
Jesus came so that we can have life because He is the embodiment of life.
He said,
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
). This life means eternal life in heaven. Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we now have a way to be reconciled with God and have eternal life with Him in heaven.
This life means eternal life in heaven. Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we now have a way to be reconciled with God and have eternal life with Him in heaven.
Nonetheless, Jesus not only gives us the promise of eternal life in heaven,
He also gives us an abundant life here on earth.
But His abundance has nothing to do with worldly pursuits and everything to do with those attributes that make us more like Him and that we can carry with us into heaven.
Many people have this idea that If I get this_______ then I will be happy
It becomes a constant pursuit of the next thing
Debt increases, happiness decreases,
And we have more garage sales...
“Mo Money” Feb 2018 in the journal Nature Human Behavior
New research shows the richer we get, the less happy we become. A study, published Feb 2018 in the journal Nature Human Behavior, found that once we reach a certain household income — $105,000 in the United States, $95,000 globally — more income “tended to be associated with reduced life satisfaction and a lower level of well-being.”
And it’s not just adults who are impacted by this phenomenon. Children who come from affluent families are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and substance abuse than those who come from less affluent families, research shows.
And it’s not just adults who are impacted by this phenomenon. Children who come from affluent families are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and substance abuse than those who come from less affluent families, research shows.
Happy kids in the 3rd world
How We Can Have an Abundant Life in a Broken, Fallen World
How We Can Have an Abundant Life in a Broken, Fallen World
Jesus gives us the fruit of the Spirit, and this is the abundant life.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
).
Jesus wants us to have the best life possible in a world that is sometimes unbearable - a world full of cruelty, injustice, sadness, and pain.
He knows that the only way that is possible is for us to take on His character of a life where inwardly we are satisfied because we know who we are through Him, who He is through God the Father, and where we are going - to heaven.
Jesus wants us to have the best life possible in a world that is sometimes unbearable - a world full of cruelty, injustice, sadness, and pain. He knows that the only way that is possible is for us to take on His character of a life where inwardly we are satisfied because we know who we are through Him, who He is through God the Father, and where we are going - to heaven.
Our lives can be falling apart all around us, and we can still have an abundant life. The abundant life is a state of being from within, not a result of external circumstances.
It is the result of the pruning God does to make us more like Him, and it is what we will take to heaven with us
For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.
If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.
If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
). An abundant life is a life that keeps on giving.
Our lives can be falling apart all around us, and we can still have an abundant life. The abundant life is a state of being from within, not a result of external circumstances. It is the result of the pruning God does to make us more like Him, and it is what we will take to heaven with us (). An abundant life is a life that keeps on giving.
An abundant life is a life that keeps on giving.
Which is Better - Abundance or an Abundant Life?
Which is Better - Abundance or an Abundant Life?
At first look, we might be tempted to say,
"I rather have a life of abundance so I can have the stuff I want and be happy!"
But when you're in a state of crisis, what's worth more - a life full of fear, anxiousness, and tension, or a life full of tranquility and the fruit of the spirit?
I think we'd agree that you can't put a price tag on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.
Let’s say you have a Million dollars in the bank. But no Peace. Is it worth it?
An abundant life comes from following God's ways, pursuing holiness, and seeking to be more like Him.
As for God, His way is blameless;
The word of the Lord is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
). As a result, others see the abundant life in you and are led to Jesus through your example: "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" ().
As a result, others see the abundant life in you and are led to Jesus through your example:
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
).
It does not say let your new shiny care sparkle before your neighbour
God created us to want more.
But which kind of "more" will we seek?
Abundance in worldly pursuits or an abundant life?
The more we desire God, the more abundant our life will be.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Bible Verses on Abundant Life
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. -
What things will be added
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
“And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?
“And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,
yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.
“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’
“For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matt 6:25-34
How great is Your goodness,
Which You have stored up for those who fear You,
Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You,
Before the sons of men!
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. -
How great is Your goodness, Which You have stored up for those who fear You, Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, Before the sons of men! -
No I’m not saying God wants us all to be poor and destitute.
In fact I believe greater economic times for God people is on the way!
But I believe our focus needs to be pure.
If things are getting in the way of your pursuit of God, Do you really think he want to give you more things?
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. -
That does not mean you cannot be wealthy, Your desire for wealth cannot be more important than your desire for the things of God
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,