“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Luke 6:38

What does “abundance” mean to you? Do you see it as a measurement, or a goal? Is it something that drives you or is it something you try to avoid?

This month, we want to discuss the scarcity mindset and how it impacts our ability to be truly grateful. What is the scarcity mindset? Think of it this way: you always feel like you never have enough. Not enough money, not enough friends, not enough material things. You view accomplishments like badges of honor that you and only you can achieve and hoard. You resent when others have more than you or even assist you in achieving something. The idea of sharing throws you for a loop.

If we’re being honest, we all have moments when we fall prey to the scarcity mindset. We covet, we resent others for achievements, and we “wish” we could just have or accomplish that one thing that so-and-so did. It’s a basic feeling that advertisers use to prey on all of us, especially around this time of the year.

So what is the opposite of a scarcity mindset? An abundance mindset. Believing that you have all you need and being thankful for what is in your life. You don’t envy; you celebrate. You give of yourself and your possessions so that others may feel the same gratitude that you do. Every day and every accomplishment or possession is a gift from God, in your eyes, and you operate from a foundation of always wanting to be a good steward of everything you’ve been given.

How do we ignore that potent scarcity mindset and step into the freedom of a grateful heart? How do we safeguard our thoughts and actions, especially around the holidays, to focus more on what we can give to those around us instead of what we can get for ourselves? Join us this month as we walk through this timely topic and prepare our hearts to be a testament to God’s goodness rather than a well of panicked greed.