From Scarcity to Abundance: Trusting God's Kingdom
Summary
Today’s focus is on the journey from a life marked by scarcity and anxiety to one rooted in the abundance of God’s kingdom. Scarcity is a real part of our world—there are limits to our time, resources, and even our own abilities. Many of us have felt the weight of “not enough,” whether it’s not enough money, time, or even feeling like we ourselves are not enough. This sense of lack can easily become the lens through which we see everything, leading to anxiety, jealousy, and a constant striving for more. Yet, we were not created to live in this small, anxious space. God’s invitation is to step out of the cramped world of scarcity and into the wide, generous space of His abundance.
Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, addresses the very real needs of His listeners—people who lived day to day, often unsure of where their next meal would come from. He acknowledges that money and resources are necessary for life, but He warns us not to make them our master. Money is necessary, but it is not sufficient to deliver us from scarcity into the fullness of life we were made for. When we put money or any other lesser thing at the center of our lives, we become enslaved to a cycle of “never enough,” always needing just a little bit more, and losing sight of the true source of abundance.
Instead, Jesus offers a different way: seek first the kingdom of God. This is not a call to ignore our needs or to be passive, but to reorient our lives around God’s abundance and His purposes. Worry, Jesus says, is a toxic fuel—it may move us, but it pollutes our souls and keeps us locked in a scarcity mindset. He invites us to exchange worry for trust, to let go of the many-mindedness that keeps us anxious, and to look for where God’s kingdom is breaking in around us and through us.
This shift from scarcity to kingdom mentality changes everything. It frees us to be present, to love others without using them to prop up our own sense of worth, and to participate in God’s work in the world. Whether it’s through acts of generosity, faithful presence in hard places, or simply being attentive to the needs around us, we become instruments of God’s abundance. The invitation is to surrender our worries, seek God’s kingdom first, and trust that all we need will be added as we walk in His abundance.
Key Takeaways
- Money is Necessary, but Not Sufficient
Money is essential for survival in this world, and Jesus never denies our real needs. However, when money becomes the center of our lives, it enslaves us to a cycle of scarcity, always needing more and never finding true satisfaction. The abundance we were created for cannot be found in material wealth, but only in God Himself. [04:37]
- Worry is a Toxic Fuel
Worry may feel productive, even motivating us to action, but it is ultimately a polluting and inefficient energy source for our souls. It locks us into a scarcity mindset, drains our joy, and keeps us from seeing and participating in the good that God is doing around us. Jesus invites us to exchange worry for trust, recognizing that worry adds nothing to our lives and often robs us of peace. [17:10]
- You Are Invaluable to God
Many of us carry voices of shame or insignificance, but Jesus reminds us that we are deeply valued by God—more than the birds He feeds and the flowers He clothes. Our worth is not determined by our productivity, our possessions, or our past mistakes, but by the love of the Good Shepherd who redeems and restores us. Surrendering our wounds and failures to Jesus opens us to receive His abundant grace. [19:30]
- Seek First the Kingdom—From Threat to Opportunity
The call to “seek first the kingdom of God” is an invitation to move from a threat-oriented, defensive posture to an opportunity-oriented, expectant one. When we fix our eyes on God’s kingdom, we become attentive to where He is at work and how we can join Him, both in our own transformation and in blessing others. This shift requires surrendering control and our own “kingdoms” to participate in something far greater. [23:04]
- Worry as a Cue to Prayer and Kingdom Participation
Rather than letting worry spiral us into anxiety, we can use it as a prompt to pray and to seek God’s kingdom. Each worry becomes an opportunity to surrender, to ask where God’s kingdom is coming, and how we can be part of it. This practice not only frees us from anxiety but also aligns our hearts with God’s purposes, making us fruitful and alive in His abundance. [30:34]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Honoring Mothers and Acknowledging Pain
[02:30] - The Reality of Scarcity in Our Lives
[04:37] - Jesus’ Teaching: You Cannot Serve Both God and Money
[07:10] - Necessary but Not Sufficient: The Logic of Money
[10:00] - The Fork in the Road: Serving God or Money
[13:30] - The Enslavement of Scarcity and the Invitation to Abundance
[15:40] - Worry: The Many-Mindedness That Drains Us
[17:10] - Worry as Toxic Fuel
[19:30] - You Are Valuable to God
[21:00] - Jesus’ Illustrations: Birds, Flowers, and God’s Provision
[23:04] - The Great Exchange: From Worry to Seeking the Kingdom
[25:48] - Stories of the Kingdom Breaking In
[27:44] - Not a Call to Passivity, but to Kingdom-Oriented Action
[30:34] - Prayer: Surrendering Worry and Seeking God’s Kingdom
[31:42] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: From Scarcity to Abundance
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### Bible Reading
Matthew 6:24-34 (Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ teaching on God and money, worry, and seeking the kingdom first)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Matthew 6:24, what does Jesus say about serving two masters? What are the two “masters” he names, and what does he say is impossible to do?
2. According to Jesus in Matthew 6:25-32, what are some of the specific things people worry about? How does he use birds and flowers as examples?
3. What does Jesus say is the result of worrying? Does he say it adds anything to our lives? (see [19:30])
4. In verse 33, what does Jesus command his listeners to seek first, and what does he promise will happen if they do?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus say that money is “necessary but not sufficient” for life? What does it mean to be enslaved to money, and how does that relate to a scarcity mindset? (see [04:37])
2. The sermon describes worry as “toxic fuel.” In what ways can worry seem productive, and why does Jesus warn against it? (see [17:10])
3. Jesus says we are more valuable than birds and flowers. Why do you think he emphasizes our worth to God in the middle of a teaching about worry and scarcity? (see [19:30])
4. What does it look like to “seek first the kingdom of God” in practical terms? How is this different from simply ignoring our needs or being passive? (see [23:04])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon talked about how scarcity can become the lens through which we see everything, leading to anxiety and striving. When in your life have you felt the weight of “not enough”? How did it affect your thoughts or actions? (see [02:30])
2. Jesus says we cannot serve both God and money. Are there “lesser things” (money, career, family, approval, etc.) that you find yourself tempted to put at the center of your life? What would it look like to “demote” them and put God at the center instead? (see [04:37])
3. Worry is described as “many-mindedness” and a “toxic fuel.” What are some worries that tend to dominate your mind? How do these worries affect your ability to be present with God and others? (see [17:10])
4. The sermon suggested using worry as a cue to pray and seek God’s kingdom. What would it look like for you to turn a specific worry into a prayer this week? Can you think of a recent worry you could surrender to God and ask, “Where is your kingdom coming, and how can I be part of it?” (see [30:34])
5. Jesus says our worth is not determined by our productivity, possessions, or past mistakes. Are there voices of shame or insignificance that you struggle with? What would it look like to surrender those to Jesus and receive his grace? (see [19:30])
6. The sermon gave examples of people participating in God’s kingdom through generosity, faithful presence, and caring for others. What is one practical way you could look for where God’s kingdom is breaking in around you and join in this week? (see [25:48])
7. Seeking the kingdom is not a call to passivity, but to action rooted in God’s abundance. Is there a situation in your life where you need to move from a threat-oriented, defensive posture to an opportunity-oriented, expectant one? What step could you take to do that? (see [23:04])
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Devotional
Day 1: You Cannot Serve Both God and Money
Money is necessary for life, but it is not sufficient to bring you into the abundance you were created for; when you make money your master, it enslaves you to a never-ending cycle of scarcity, always needing just a little bit more and never finding true satisfaction. Jesus draws a clear line: you can serve God or money, but not both, because chasing after money and possessions ultimately leads you away from the source of true abundance. Instead, God invites you to put Him at the center of your life, trusting that He knows your needs and will provide, freeing you from the soul-sucking grip of scarcity and anxiety. [04:37]
Matthew 6:24 (ESV)
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Reflection: What is one way you have been tempted to make money or possessions the center of your life, and how can you intentionally put God back at the center today?
Day 2: Worry Locks You Into Scarcity
Worry is a toxic fuel that keeps you trapped in a scarcity mentality, draining your energy and focus, whether it freezes you in place or drives you to frantic activity; it never adds to your life and only deepens your sense of lack. Jesus calls you to recognize that worry is not a healthy motivator but a pollutant to your soul, and He invites you to exchange it for trust in God’s care and provision. When you surrender your worries, you open yourself to the peace and freedom that come from relying on God rather than your own anxious striving. [14:00]
Matthew 6:27 (ESV)
“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”
Reflection: What is one specific worry you are carrying right now, and how can you surrender it to God in prayer instead of letting it control your thoughts and actions today?
Day 3: You Are Valuable to God
No matter what voices of shame or condemnation you have heard—whether from others or from within—God declares that you are deeply valuable and beloved; your worth is not determined by your mistakes or by what others have done to you. Jesus invites you to hand over your failures and wounds to His nail-scarred hands, trusting that He can redeem every part of your story and that your value is secure in His love. When you embrace your identity as God’s beloved, you are set free from the lies of worthlessness and empowered to live in the abundance of His grace. [18:30]
Matthew 6:26 (ESV)
“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
Reflection: What is one negative message about your worth that you need to let go of, and how can you remind yourself today of your value in God’s eyes?
Day 4: Seek First God’s Kingdom
Jesus offers a great exchange: instead of being driven by worry and scarcity, you are invited to seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, trusting that all your needs will be provided. This shift moves you from a threat-oriented, defensive posture to an expectant, opportunity-oriented life where you look for where God’s kingdom is breaking in and how you can participate in it. Seeking God’s kingdom starts with surrendering control, letting go of building your own kingdom, and opening your eyes to the ways God is at work in and around you every day. [23:04]
Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Reflection: Where do you see God’s kingdom breaking in around you today, and what is one way you can actively participate in it?
Day 5: Exchange Worry for Prayerful Action
Every time worry arises, it can become a cue to pray and to seek God’s kingdom first, rather than spiraling into anxiety or passivity. This is not a call to inaction, but to orient your life around God’s abundance, trusting Him to provide as you faithfully do your part—whether that means going to work, serving others, or stepping into opportunities He places before you. As you exchange worry for prayerful action, you become more fruitful, more alive, and more open to the abundance God wants to pour into your life and through you to others. [30:34]
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Reflection: The next time you catch yourself worrying today, will you pause to pray and ask God how you can seek His kingdom in that situation? What might that look like in practical terms?
Quotes
We've been talking about the fact that all of us have been in that place of not enough, like not enough time, not enough money, not enough help or support or resources. We've all been in that place of sort of not feeling like there's enough. Sometimes it's a little bit more personal. Maybe I'm not enough. Like what if I'm not a good enough mom? What if I'm not a good enough dad? What if I'm not a good enough husband or employee or colleague or co -worker? So the idea of like not enoughness kind of is, it touches all of our lives. [00:00:39] (24 seconds)
Scarcity is reality. Everything actually is limited, but scarcity mentality is terrible for you, right? Scarcity mentality that is living in line with reality. Every single thing is limited. So you live with that all the time, but here's the reality. Here's what it does to you. It does weird things to you. It's a horrible way to live, right? Makes you anxious, hoarding, grasping. If you're jealous or resentful of other people's success, that's a great sign of sort of scarcity mentality sort of shaping you, right? [00:01:35] (25 seconds)
Easter Sunday is God's invitation out of this tiny little space of scarcity that we kind of find ourselves in into the marvelous light, the abundance that he created us for, into his amazing grace, into forgiveness, into mercy and kindness, the things we've been singing about this morning, the ways that God wants to release all that peace, all that joy. And then he says, now I want you to go build things. [00:02:17] (22 seconds)
Because like there's this one thing that's so, so, so essential that we can kind of get honed in on one factor, like oxygen, and say, that's the thing that we need to make sure we're all surviving. Like, wait, wait, wait, there's other things that you have to have that are, that our oxygen is necessary but not sufficient for survival. Here's the punchline. Here's what Jesus is saying with this. Money is necessary but not sufficient to free you from scarcity into abundance. [00:06:10] (23 seconds)
Worry is what fuels us when we're surrendered to the scarcity of this world rather than the lord who came to unlock the abundance of god for us worry is what fuels us it's the energy that drives us when we've totally surrendered to the scarcity of this world rather than surrendering to the jesus who is lord who came to unlock the abundance of god for us and through his grace and mercy [00:15:40] (26 seconds)
If you have to be in control, you can't be a part of God's kingdom. God's on the throne. You're not. You don't have control. It's an illusion anyway. So if you're grasping for control all the time, you're not going to have your eyes open to see God who is sovereign and at work all around you.All those of us, listen, you know whose kingdom it is? It's God's kingdom, not your kingdom. [00:23:50] (22 seconds)
Sometimes, my friends, the kingdom is coming in obvious ways, sometimes in quiet ways, sometimes in ways that feel like there's nothing happening. This is like a dead area. Sometimes God's saying, just go to work, go to work, go to work, till the soil, till the soil, be a part of the kingdom coming, be a part of the kingdom coming. I want, I'll put you there. I put you there to be a part of my kingdom coming. [00:26:58] (16 seconds)
The result is, fruitful you and all shall be added. Fruitful you, as in, you are a way healthier person if you're not trapped in worry. You're a way healthier person, way more alive person if you're not trapped in worry.So, you're more fruitful and everything else shall be added. God's going to take care of you. God will provide for you. That's his name. He's a provider. [00:27:33] (17 seconds)
God has the power to free you from scarcity into abundance.You get God, you get everything else thrown in. Please don't waste your life chasing after money and stuff, career, anything else, and lose God in the process. God says, come in, come in, come in. This is what I created you for. [00:29:05] (17 seconds)
I want to invite you, especially for those of us who are worriers, so I'm sort of talking to you particularly, but for all of us, I want to invite you to take worry as an invitation to prayer.I want to invite worry as a cue to pray. And here's the cue, right? Worry is a cue to prayer. I surrender this worry to you. I seek your kingdom first. Where's your kingdom first? Where's your kingdom coming? How can I be a part of it? What needs to change in me? Anytime you catch yourself worrying, anytime you're awake, oh, wait, wait, wait, I'm worrying about something. What if, what if, what if? Instead of like spiraling down deeper and deeper into worry, what if instead you said, oh, there it is. God, I'll give you that worry. I want to seek your kingdom first. Where's it coming? How can I be a part of it? What needs to change in me to be a part of it? [00:29:52] (40 seconds)
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