Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Abundance (06/08/06)
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TITLE: Hidden Abundance | Previous Challenge Entry
By Karen Chilton
06/12/06 -
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When I think of abundance, I first require a full understanding of the word. I believe it to mean in relation to quantity exceeding the recommended requirement. Webster defines it as amply quantity, sufficiency, plentiful, and rich.
Now I have to wonder what I have in my life which would be described as abundance. If I have an ample amount of something than there would be such an overflow I would require a reservoir to hold it, or at least an open channel to allow it to flow out into other areas or people around me. When I look at my closet it would appear I have a reservoir to hold my abundant collection of clothes and shoes. If we have enough clothes we can choose what to wear on a given day, we have abundance. There are many who own just enough to wear at one time without the option to choose from a closet. If we own enough shoes to choose color, style, or type of shoe to wear, we have abundance. If we have just one vehicle, we have abundance of choices for transportation others do not have. If we have a bank account to hold our money for any amount of time we have abundance and most likely a job while many are unemployed. If we have more than enough food in our homes to feed us for one day, we have abundance to have a roof over our head and food for our body. The world is full of homeless and starving people.
Perhaps until now you didn’t realize you are rich with abundance of many things. You may not have a six figure income or maybe you can’t jet off to Hawaii at a moments notice, but you are right now partaking of an abundant life. Christ came to give us life more abundantly (St. John 10:10) so we would have more than enough to help others in need. I just spoke of the things we can see, touch, and enjoy; but what about those things we have that can be felt. We can give away some compassion, a smile, a hug, kind words of encouragement and hope and we can share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ offers us love, joy, peace, grace, mercy, forgiveness and much more but never the less is salvation and eternal life. God never runs out of these things and it is available to all who will believe.
Weather we realize it or not we are rich with access to God’s abundance, but we must ask, seek, and knock to gain this access as is described in Matthew 7:7. If we ask, we must first believe. “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Mathew 21:22 If we ask God and we believe we will receive than we must also be willing to return the blessing in our giving. Luke 6:38 says, “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.” This is the law of the harvest; if we sow we shall also reap. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9 Christ was our living example and we, who are called to be disciples of His, must follow His lead. “I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” John 13:15
Now here are some questions to ponder: What do you need from God? What do you have to share with others in need? What are you giving to increase the kingdom of God? Is your reservoir overflowing with abundance? Perhaps you need to first give away some things in order for there to be room for God to bless you with more. Who do you know is in need of your abundance? Find out where you can donate to help others who are less fortunate than you. God left us instructions on how to follow the example of Christ; it is not only found between the pages of the bible but in the space between our ears. Think first than act according to the word and will of God.
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