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Enough
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Abundance does not mean you get everything you want. It does mean you may have all that you need.
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The earth is teeming with life in the creation story. Winged things winging; swimming things swimming; creeping things creeping -- stars fill the sky, every plant is weighed heavy with seeds, tree branches are laden with fruit. There is a remarkable abundance in the created order. There is no fear of scarcity. There is such a richness that everything can multiply without anxiety. The command and promise is given to "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth" (Genesis 1:26, MSG).
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No dread of running out. Enough, not only for today, but also for tomorrow -- and the day after that, and the day after that! Things flourish because the system is designed that way. It is not designed for mindless exploitation. Care for all living things is a part of what it means to bear the image of God. Manage things here on the earth the way that God does in the universe so all can be well and whole. That is a good definition of stewardship.
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When we fear that there won't be enough, we hoard. We take more for ourselves than we can use and in the process, something, or someone goes with less or none at all. We will never have all we want, but the Bible promises that we have what we need if we will but manage it well. It begs the question: How much is enough?
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For Focus and Reflection: Do I have enough of what really matters? More than enough?
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Prayer: Lord, grant me eyes to see your abundance so that instead of closing my hand to hoard, I may open my hand to share. Amen.
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Community of Prayer Stewardship Devotional
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Copyright ©2016 by Bruce A. Barkhauer
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Permission to copy & email given by Center for Faith and Giving
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