Transforming Scarcity Mentality into God's Abundance

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the pervasive issue of scarcity mentality and how it affects our lives and communities. Scarcity mentality is the belief that there is not enough—whether it be time, money, love, or resources—and it leads to anxiety, aggression, and a sense of competition. This mindset is a natural consequence of being disconnected from God, who is the source of all abundance. We are called to change this atmosphere by drawing on the superabundance of God, which is beautifully described in Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3. Paul, writing from prison, prays for his friends in Ephesus, emphasizing the immeasurable riches and love of God that surpasses all understanding.

We are invited to root ourselves in God's love, which is a firm foundation, and to live lives that reflect His abundance. This involves stepping out of ordinary time, characterized by scarcity and anxiety, and into God's deep time, where His love and power are accessible through prayer. By doing so, we can bring God's healing and grace into our everyday lives and the lives of those around us. This transformation is not just for us but also for others, as we pray for God's abundance to be poured out into their lives.

The challenge is to recognize where we are rooted—whether in God's love or in things that do not bear good fruit—and to make intentional efforts to root ourselves in His abundance. This requires a commitment to spiritual practices that expand our capacity to receive God's love and to be conduits of His grace to others. Changing the atmosphere is a long-term endeavor, requiring ongoing prayer and intentionality. We are called to be instruments of change, praying for those in our lives to experience the fullness of God's love and abundance.

Key Takeaways:

1. Scarcity Mentality vs. Abundance of God: Scarcity mentality is a natural consequence of being disconnected from God, leading to anxiety and competition. In contrast, God's abundance offers peace and fulfillment. We are called to draw on His superabundance to change the atmosphere around us. [05:28]

2. Rooted in God's Love: Being rooted in God's love provides a firm foundation, enabling us to withstand life's challenges. We must examine where we are rooted and make intentional efforts to root ourselves in His love, which surpasses all understanding. [25:48]

3. Stepping into God's Deep Time: By stepping out of ordinary time and into God's deep time through prayer, we access His love and power. This transformation allows us to bring God's healing and grace into our everyday lives and the lives of others. [16:55]

4. Prayer as a Tool for Change: Prayer is a powerful tool for changing the atmosphere, both in our lives and in the lives of others. By praying for God's abundance to be poured out, we participate in His work of transformation and healing. [19:44]

5. Long-term Commitment to Change: Changing the atmosphere is a long-term endeavor that requires ongoing prayer and intentionality. We are called to be instruments of change, praying for those in our lives to experience the fullness of God's love and abundance. [30:44]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:44] - The Reality of Scarcity
- [05:28] - Scarcity Mentality's Impact
- [07:20] - Abundance in Ephesians 3
- [10:25] - Grasping God's Love
- [11:43] - Immeasurable More
- [12:53] - Trusting God's Abundance
- [14:06] - Generational Glory
- [15:36] - Rescued from Scarcity
- [16:55] - Drawing from God's Abundance
- [19:44] - Prayer and Deep Time
- [23:53] - Strengthening the Inmost Being
- [25:48] - Rooted and Established in Love
- [27:53] - The Danger of Being Rootless
- [30:44] - Changing the Atmosphere
- [35:31] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 3:14-21

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul emphasize about God's love and power in his prayer for the Ephesians? How does he describe the abundance of God's resources? [07:20]
2. According to the sermon, what are the consequences of living with a scarcity mentality? [05:28]
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between "ordinary time" and "God's deep time"? [16:55]
4. What role does prayer play in accessing God's abundance according to the sermon? [19:44]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does being rooted in God's love provide a foundation for withstanding life's challenges, as discussed in the sermon? [25:48]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that scarcity mentality can impact relationships and communities? [05:28]
3. How does the concept of "God's deep time" challenge the way we typically experience time and resources? [16:55]
4. What does the sermon imply about the long-term commitment required to change the atmosphere in our lives and communities? [30:44]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the pressure of scarcity mentality. How did it affect your actions and relationships? What steps can you take to shift towards an abundance mindset? [05:28]
2. Consider where you are currently rooted. Are there areas in your life where you need to be more deeply rooted in God's love? What practical steps can you take to make this change? [25:48]
3. How can you incorporate the practice of stepping into "God's deep time" through prayer into your daily routine? What changes do you anticipate this might bring to your life? [16:55]
4. Identify someone in your life who might be struggling with scarcity mentality. How can you pray for them and support them in experiencing God's abundance? [19:44]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer in changing the atmosphere. What specific prayers can you commit to this week for yourself and others to experience God's abundance? [30:44]
6. Think about a specific area in your life where you feel rootless. What intentional actions can you take to establish roots in God's love and community? [27:53]
7. How can you be an instrument of change in your community, drawing on God's abundance to transform the atmosphere around you? What is one specific action you can take this week? [30:44]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God's Abundance Over Scarcity
The scarcity mentality is a pervasive issue that affects many aspects of our lives, leading to anxiety, aggression, and a sense of competition. This mindset stems from a disconnection from God, who is the source of all abundance. In contrast, God's abundance offers peace and fulfillment, inviting us to draw on His superabundance to change the atmosphere around us. By recognizing the immeasurable riches and love of God, as described in Ephesians 3, we can begin to shift our perspective from scarcity to abundance. This shift is not just for personal transformation but also for the benefit of our communities, as we become conduits of God's grace and healing. [05:28]

Ephesians 3:16-19 (ESV): "that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel a sense of scarcity. How can you invite God's abundance into this area today?


Day 2: Rooted in the Unfathomable Love of God
Being rooted in God's love provides a firm foundation that enables us to withstand life's challenges. This love surpasses all understanding and offers a stability that cannot be found elsewhere. It is essential to examine where we are rooted—whether in God's love or in things that do not bear good fruit. By making intentional efforts to root ourselves in His love, we can experience a transformation that impacts not only our lives but also the lives of those around us. This involves a commitment to spiritual practices that expand our capacity to receive God's love and to be conduits of His grace to others. [25:48]

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Reflection: Consider what you are currently rooted in. What steps can you take today to deepen your roots in God's love?


Day 3: Entering God's Deep Time Through Prayer
Stepping out of ordinary time and into God's deep time through prayer allows us to access His love and power. This transformation enables us to bring God's healing and grace into our everyday lives and the lives of others. By engaging in prayer, we step into a realm where God's love and power are accessible, offering us the strength and guidance needed to navigate life's challenges. This practice not only enriches our spiritual lives but also empowers us to be agents of change in our communities, reflecting God's abundance and love. [16:55]

Psalm 90:12-14 (ESV): "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days."

Reflection: How can you incorporate moments of prayer into your daily routine to step into God's deep time?


Day 4: Prayer as a Catalyst for Transformation
Prayer is a powerful tool for changing the atmosphere, both in our lives and in the lives of others. By praying for God's abundance to be poured out, we participate in His work of transformation and healing. This practice invites us to be intentional about our prayers, focusing on the needs of others and the world around us. As we engage in prayer, we become instruments of God's grace, bringing His love and abundance into situations marked by scarcity and need. This transformative power of prayer is not limited to personal growth but extends to the broader community, fostering an environment of healing and grace. [19:44]

James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: Who in your life can you pray for today, asking for God's abundance and transformation in their situation?


Day 5: Committing to Long-term Change Through Prayer
Changing the atmosphere is a long-term endeavor that requires ongoing prayer and intentionality. We are called to be instruments of change, praying for those in our lives to experience the fullness of God's love and abundance. This commitment involves a dedication to spiritual practices that nurture our relationship with God and expand our capacity to be conduits of His grace. By engaging in consistent prayer, we participate in God's transformative work, fostering an environment where His love and abundance can flourish. This long-term commitment not only impacts our personal lives but also has the potential to bring about significant change in our communities. [30:44]

Galatians 6:9 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

Reflection: What long-term prayer commitment can you make today to support someone or a situation in need of God's transformative power?

Quotes

"Scarcity is the natural consequence of a world and people who are cut off from God. Because God's the one who's full of all this abundance. Right? Scarcity mentality, natural consequence. It's normal. If you don't know this God, if you're not connected to this God, the only thing that makes any sense is scarcity mentality. Listen, if you don't know God, and I don't mean this. I don't mean this in a mean way. You should live out of scarcity. It's the only thing that makes sense. There isn't enough time. There isn't enough money. There's not enough love. Not enough applause. Not enough approval. You should just live as sort of a socially Darwinist. Whoever gets the best. Whoever can survive. That's the only thing that makes any sense." [00:15:36] (35 seconds)



"Partly we do that by praying prayers that change the scarcity mentality atmosphere. That we bear fruit in our own lives. And that we pray prayers. Just like Paul is praying for the Ephesians. That they might be set free from all this scarcity to live out of the abundance of God. What does it mean for us to draw deeply from God's magnificent abundance? I used an illustration a couple of weeks ago. Kind of an analogy. An image that's been super helpful for me the last couple of months to pray out of. So I'm going to kind of bring this back up again. Because I think it might be helpful. A helpful way to think about how do we bring God's abundance into our everyday lives." [00:16:55] (34 seconds)



"Scarcity mentality bears terrible fruit. And so, man, it's so easy to fall into this. It's so easy to get sucked into this. Christian, not a Christian, doesn't matter. It's just such an easy thing to have. It's just such an easy thing to have. It's just such an easy thing to have. It's just such a bitchy way to get stuck in. So I want to invite us all into this new place of freedom. And this is part of what the Lord has done, what God has done for us in Jesus, right? So Jesus, all of us Jesus followers are called to change the scarcity mentality atmosphere by drawing on the super abundance of God, all those riches, all that love, all that power. And we do that, one of the primary ways to do that is through prayer for ourselves as we step into God's amazing love and abundance." [00:31:06] (35 seconds)



"Paul closes his crazy prayer piling on adjective and adjective and adjective and abundance and top of abundance. He says this. Glory to God in all generations forever and ever and ever. Amen. And here we are 2,000 years later and thousands of miles in a place that Paul could not have imagined. In a context, in a setting Paul could never have imagined. Generation after generation, 2,000 years later, this thing has changed more lives than any other movement in history. Paul was absolutely correct in his prayer." [00:14:50] (31 seconds)



"To be praying for them over the long haul. To be a person who is just always on their side, always praying that God would change the atmosphere, do something in their lives. Could be a kid, a grandkid, a parent, could be a co-worker, colleague, just someone that you love, that God would do something in their lives. Let's look at a few of these phrases. We're going to look at just a couple of them to see how Paul is changing the atmosphere and praying prayers for the people in Ephesians. He prays this at the beginning, I pray that out of God's glorious riches, God may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." [00:23:53] (33 seconds)



"Lord Jesus, thanks for this invitation to step into deep time and all your resources and all your amazing grace. We pray, I pray for my friends who are here today who know that they're rooted, established in the wrong things, broken things, or who have a sense of, oh yeah, we are rootless. We haven't put down roots. And we've been in and out of church or faith or God and occasionally checking in or occasionally doing things, but Lord, you're calling them to something deeper in 2025. Would they, would we have the courage, strength to do that?" [00:35:31] (28 seconds)



"See, there's a place in us that Paul says, is your inmost being. Paul talks about this, strengthening you with power through his spirit in your inner being. And it's not just cognitive. It's not just knowing the right answers. It's not just having everything all sorted out. There's a place in your heart that God wants to get to that's deeper than cognition. It's at the core of your being. And what God wants to do is he wants to set up shop in your inmost being. He wants to pour the resurrected Christ to your deepest part of your heart, soul, mind, and spirit. And from that deepest inmost being to then bring his shalom, his peace, his joy, his power. Right? Power is the word that gets repeated over and over and over again. His love at the deepest part of you to affect all of you." [00:25:48] (40 seconds)