Scarcely Divided: How Divine Abundance Can Bring Us Together

A couple of years ago I attempted a foolishly long backpacking trip during a fall drought. About ten miles in, my water ran very low. The streams where I would normally restock were dry. I rationed sips, didn’t dare waste any to cool my head, and I fervently hoped I didn’t encounter anyone who might ask me to share. I became fearful, worried, even a little antisocial.

Scarcity Changes People

When we view something as scarce, it shapes our mindset and behavior in profound and negative ways. Psychological research shows scarcity consumes our mental capacity, and narrows our focus, making competition easier and cooperation harder.[1] When we feel resources are scarce, we hoard. When we feel love is scarce, we grow jealous. When we feel power is scarce, we fight[2].

The ultimate outcome of a scarcity mindset is conflict - one side must win resources or power, and the other side must be defeated and lose them. Our society is devolving into chaotic conflict in large part because we view important things as scarce.

• Truth and justice feel scarce, so only my side is right and I must judge others.

• Grace and understanding feel scarce, so I will withhold mercy like everyone else.

• Power and confidence feel scarce, so I must strive for power and silence disagreement.

• Safety and security feel scarce, so I look for someone strong to protect me.

To our human mind, scarcity reigns and the situation is bleak. But God offers a different perspective.

Jesus Taught Abundance

Jesus said, “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.[3]” A constant theme in Jesus’ teaching was the tension between a mindset of scarcity and a mindset of abundance.

Time and again, Jesus inverted the normal perspective on scarcity. He spoke of faith that appeared tiny, but was strong enough to move a mountain.[4] He told of a piece of land that appeared ordinary but held vast treasure.[5] He taught that God provides abundantly for both the just and the unjust,[6] and when good seeds and weeds are planted together, there is enough space for both to thrive.[7] Jesus spoke of love so abundant that it would overflow to our enemies,[8] forgiveness extended even when someone wrongs us hundreds of times.[9] He taught the importance of stewardship and avoiding waste, not out of fear, but as a way to honor God[10].

Jesus taught a world view where everything important was in abundance. Is it any wonder he never sought political power, willingly embraced his enemies, and never showed fear?

Living With An Abundance Mindset

Focus On A Higher Goal. If my goal is to live in a world where I am never challenged or questioned about my beliefs, then even a great deal of power will seem scarce. If my goal is simply to live in peace with those around me, share God’s truth, and gracefully encounter disagreement and diversity, then I hardly need any power at all. Jesus was poor and homeless, and constantly challenged by those who disagreed with him. Yet, he did not complain or strive for power. He was focused on a different objective.

Embrace Humility. My definition of abundance is a function of my opinion of myself. If I think I have immense ability, then ordinary compensation seems scarce. If I assume I have all the right answers and can judge the motives of others, then I am assuming a level of insight attributable only to God. And that makes me hunger for a level of power and influence that should only be held by God. Anything less seems scarce.

Draw From The True Source. Scarcity is dependent on source. On my hike, water appeared scarce because my water bottle (the source) was empty. Likewise, so long as I am focused only on my internal capacity, I will always see scarcity. But Jesus taught that our ultimate source is God, and he offers abundance. “I am the vine; you are the branches…[11]” The Apostle Paul said “[God] is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think…[12]” ‬

Everything we see as scarce, God has in abundance:

• Grace and Love. “Compassion and deep forgiveness belong to…God…[13]”‬‬ “God is love.[14]”

• Justice and Vengeance. “He will establish justice in the world....[15]” “…Never take revenge. Leave that to…God.[16]”

• Safety. “The Lord is faithful, and he will…protect you…[17]” “The LORD is a safe place for the oppressed.[18]”

• Power. “God is the one who changes times and eras, who dethrones one king, only to establish another…[19]”

  
  

Our sense of scarcity, our quest for power, our thirst for vengeance is really just a sign that our view of God has become too small.

Sharing The Abundance

When I made camp at the end of that long thirsty day of backpacking, I dug into the bottom of a dry stream bed. After perhaps a foot of dirt and stone were removed, the hole began to fill with water. I filtered it and drank until I could not drink any more. It turns out there was plenty of water. The scarcity I felt was a function of my perspective and my limited field of vision.

As a Christian, my daily calling is to live my life in a way that demonstrates faith in an abundant divine source of all things good. Scientific research tells us a sense of abundance helps us cooperate with others, decreases tension, builds trust, and enables us to more effectively solve problems[20]. We are called to be peacemakers, and the best way to make peace is not to pass judgement or win battles, but to demonstrate faith in an abundant God.

I can stop clamoring for power because I trust an all-powerful God

I can resist the urge to judge because I know God alone owns judgement

I can extend abundant grace because God extended grace to me

I can love my enemies because God loved me when I was his enemy

I can forgive any wrong because God forgave all my wrongs

We can live together in peace and cooperation, not because we agree, but because we all share the same remarkable truths:

We are made in the image of God.

God’s grace for us has no limit.

His love for us is abundant.

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[1] Esses, V. M., Jackson, L. M., & Armstrong, T. L. (1998). Intergroup competition and attitudes toward immigrants and immigration: An instrumental model of group conflict. Journal of Social Issues, 54(4), 699–724. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1998.tb01244.x

[2] Mullainathan, S., & Shafir, E. (2013). Scarcity: Why having too little means so much. New York, NY: Times Books.

[3] John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

[4] The Mustard Seed (Matt 13:31–32; Mark 4:30–32; Luke 13:18–19)

[5] The Hidden Treasure (Matt 13:44) The Pearl of Great Price (Matt 13:45–46)

[6] “…For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭45‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

[7]The Weeds (Matt 13:24–30, 36–43)

[8] Matthew 5:43–44

[9] Matthew 18:21-22

[10] John 6:12 - "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted"

Matthew 7:6 - "Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine.”

[11] ‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬ ‭CEB

[12] Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

[13] ‭‭Daniel‬ ‭9‬:‭9‬ ‭CEB

[14] I John 4:16

[15] Psalm 9:8-9 CEB

[16] Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

[17] 2 Thessalonians 3:3

[18] Psalm 9:9 CEB

[19] ‭‭Daniel‬ ‭2‬:‭21‬ ‭CEB‬‬

[20] Piff, P. K., & Moskowitz, J. P. (2018). Wealth, poverty, and happiness: Social class is differentially associated with positive emotions. Nature Human Behaviour, 2(6), 450–456. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-018-0414-3