There is a great chasm between the way the world thinks and the way God thinks. One of the ways this difference becomes apparent is when we consider the area of abundance. The world tells us we must struggle and scrape together whatever we can get; people may look suspiciously on anyone whom God has abundantly blessed. When religion tells us we should feel guilty about excess in our lives, God tells us He wants to bless His children abundantly and excessively.
Most people don’t know the difference between excess from human greed and excess from God’s blessing. The first type of excess, which comes from self-effort, can actually turn into a burden. The second type, which can also be defined as plentiful abundance, is a manifestation of the blessings God wants for us in every area of our lives. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
There’s nothing wrong with getting rid of an excess of something we no longer need or have more than enough of; many of us regularly clean out our closet or donate food to the local food pantry. Doing this allows us to share our excess with others. However, we should never be ashamed of the abundance God sends our way. We’ve been conditioned to fear what others may think of us if they see excess in our lives, but this fear indicates wrong-thinking. “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe” (Proverbs 29:25).
We can trust that His will for us is not just a few good things here and there, but a steady stream of blessings. God is not a God of insufficiency, but a God of over-the-top abundance. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20). It’s perfectly okay to agree with God and accept His generosity. We don’t have to be afraid to receive from Him.
Financial abundance is another area where the enemy uses widespread misunderstanding of God’s excessive blessings to keep people from experiencing prosperity. If we believe wrongly in this area, we’ll live wrongly, and wind up broke and wondering why God’s promises don’t work for us. Fear causes us to hold back in our giving. We see breakthrough only when we push past our fear and trust His Word. “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38).
One of the things that sets believers apart from the world is how we think about abundance. Our grateful acceptance of God’s blessings makes us stand out. When others are just getting by, we’re enjoying everything we need for a full life. “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV).
God’s overwhelming generosity allows us to bless others with the overflow. This is something the world will never understand. The abundant blessings we receive from Him are likely to be met with disapproval, jealousy, and criticism. Regardless of others’ reactions, we can joyfully accept His blessings.