Bill's words of wisdom.

Jesus said "I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly"
(John 10:10).
 
During my years in the Christian community in several different Churches and denominations, I have often thought "why are the disputes in Church so fierce?" The answer – "because the stakes are so low." When there is only very nominal spiritual growth and very little spectacular or miraculous things going on spiritually amongst us, we then examine what little has been accomplished in our spiritual realm with a microscope, and dissect every particle with rigor.  

It's not unusual for people to magnify trivial differences when the spiritual fruits themselves are and have been so trivial. In economics and in psychology it is known as  "scarcity mentality". My impression is that this sort of mentality is present in too much of Christianity and within it's congregations.

Here are a couple of contrasts between an "Abundant Spiritual Mentality" and a "Scarcity Spiritual Mentality"...

Abundant Spiritual Mentality...

Abundance Mentality is characterised by generosity, and a sense that no matter how much or little you have, there will always be enough of God and his love , truth, spirit, forgiveness and generosity to go around. The mind is not burdened with concerns about Church survival. All that a person needs is carried within themselves with the hope and comfort of God's spirit. Material possessions,  Church serivices,  knowledge and resources are not hoarded, but accepted and shared. There is a sense of connectedness and belonging that brings a relaxed eternal personal security and spiritual health.

Scarcity Mentality

Scarcity Mentality is characterised by disconnectedness and a greedy focus on the individual or his particular religious group. Material possessions, "Spiritual Turf", Church membership and perceived unique spiritual  knowledge are gathered and jealously guarded to build personal power, with efforts also made to prevent others from doing the same. The mind is consumed with thoughts of day-to-day survival. Because this paradigm cannot support a person in a sustainable way indefinitely, a sense of helplessness emerges. This leads to a feeling  that ultimately there is no hope for long term satisfaction of basic spiritual needs, and so the individual's focus shifts away from spiritual needs and into the realm of self gratification through the use of "Pride in the Present". This can manifest itself in terms of  spiritual ambition and "title seeking", jealousy of other Christians, putting down of other congregations and Christians, demanding that "we are the only ones that God loves". Obviously this leads to mental and spiritual madness.

The answer to all of this is to remember who is the unlimited source of love, and spiritual power. It resides in the one who is the  provider of everything! The Living God is always in control, but it requires continual  daily remembrance and faith to avoid the poisonous trap of spiritual scarcity and the conflict that it gives too many in the Christian Church.

Your Friend,
Bill Lussenheide- Abundant Living Ministries

PS-Learn more of the teachings of the Bible at our website:
 http://www.abundantliving.org/

Peruse the many excellent audio messages that you can listen to online or  download from both the "Radio Log" and "Audio"links.

May God bless you as you seek to live by His Word!