Abundance can’t be simply measured in material possessions.
Abundance is often measured in material wealth. But don’t be fooled by all that glitters. There are people with a lot of possessions and money that live miserable and miserly lives. There are people with few possessions and not much money who are filled with joy and walk with a peaceful confidence that transcends the accumulation of things.
I don’t believe there is anything wrong with material success – wealth can be a reward for hard work and a wonderful blessing that spills over into many lives.
But material wealth can also be a curse that fills one’s life with stress and envy and contention and alienation and chronic dissatisfaction and a skewed perspective on what matters most in life.
A true measure of abundance can never be confined to worldly accumulations.
Dream big accomplishments, set goals, work hard, work smart, pray, persevere during setbacks, but don’t let what you do define your true wealth and personal level of abundance.
Simple abundance sometimes means having less but being more.
Abundance is found in serving others … sometimes with personal sacrifices.
Abundance can be found in a calling. Some of the richest people in the world are those who took a path less followed.
Abundance can always be found in the richness of your relationships … with friends and family and neighbors and even strangers. Relational abundance even enables that miracle of making friends of enemies called forgiveness. If the two most important needs in life are to love and be loved, what can provide more wealth than the quality of our relationships?
Abundance is always evident in the world God created … the dazzling array of glittering stars in an azure night sky that stirs our hearts to wonder and awe. A walk in the woods can leave us feeling … rich. Some of us would be so much wealthier by simply opening our eyes to the wonders around us.
Abundance is found in character and courage … a clear conscience … doing the right thing even if there are no witnesses … an internal peace.
I believe that abundance is found most fully in the profound and simple experience of knowing God. That’s why Jesus told his followers:
Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. (Matthew 6:19-21, NLT)
Enjoy the fruit of your labor. If your fields are particularly abundant, don’t feel guilty but always be thankful. Never trade the eternal for the temporal. Guard your heart against arrogance. Keep your spirit open to the treasures of peace with others, a purpose-filled life, generosity, and a simple response to God’s love for you.
Now might be a good time to stop and give thanks for just how abundant your life really is.
