Abundance

A long time ago I read about a psychological experiment done with toddlers. The result was so striking that I never forgot: They were given a bowl of treats, and then asked to share the treats with a puppy. Their faces were video recorded and later shown to adults. Every single one of them looked happier when sharing the treats than they did when receiving them.

I see this as evidence that God created us as generous beings. Toddlers are closer to who God originally intended us to be because they are not yet corrupted by the world. As God’s children, we are happier when we give than when we receive. It’s just that our materialistic culture trains us to want and crave and desire, rather than give and share.

Getting back to that original mindset is difficult. It requires a major attitude shift.

It requires that we stop living in a spirit of scarcity, and start living in a spirit of abundance. That we stop holding on, and start letting go. The only way to get there is by trusting that there is enough. Enough for us, and enough to go around. Trust that God will provide for us. Trust God more than we trust our own abilities, our paycheck, our banks and retirement funds.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 9, verse 8, Paul writes: “God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.”

That’s Faith 101: God will provide you with everything you need, in abundance. And that’s why you can share abundantly in doing good.

I invite you to think and pray this week about what God has blessed you with: What have you received, and what do you receive every day? What makes you happy? What gives you joy? What keeps you going?

I am confident this will take you to a place of abundance. Try to live in that place. Try to live in a spirit of abundance. You will be blessed, you will be happier, and you will give and receive more than you ever thought possible.