What does it mean to live with understanding and
faith in Abundance??
These are notes from a debrief session. I’m sharing them because just yesterday I came out of my room and shared with my teammates that I had just had “Poverty Mentality” thoughts. What was I saying?! AIM key terms are now second nature and actually quite helpful. I have become more aware of symptoms and signs of poverty mentality in myself and others.
Read all the way. Think about the questions for yourself. Let me know when you start thinking, “wow…that was a poverty mentality thought.” I’d like to know I’m not alone 🙂
*Think about it:
-Have you been surprised by generosity in support raising?!
—In my case: YES! Strangers gave me their savings to
support my World Race
-Do I live my life in
abundance?
-Do I give generously?
(of my time, my money, my ear, my heart)
—-I do…sometimes.
It depends on my interests and passion for the subject. Though even then I can’t honestly say I 100%
embrace Abundance mentality. My initial
response to giving is often from a Poverty Mentality place.
*Poverty
Mentality:
–Definition: There
aren’t enough resources to go around
—-If someone gets ¼ of the pie, the rest fight for remaining
¾ . You see this all the time when you
are aware of the principle and observant.
I saw it today in the children.
If one child runs up to hold my hand, another child pushes in to get a
piece of my arm. It is as if I don’t
have two good arms, as well as two legs to wrap around!
–When others receive
blessing we respond differently when coming from Abundance or Poverty Mindset.
-Stressing about scarce resources and finite blessing we
react:
—-Emotional Response: “Why them and not me?!”
—-Thoughts:
Jealousy and bitterness
—-ex: Peanut butter-“its
mine; I spent MY money on it; I don’t have any to share with anyone who didn’t
spend their own money on it…mine, my-feeling
possessive
*Entitlement
-Talk of what’s fair, what’s equalà dangerous
—-I struggle with this concept. Many people live with the idea that
blessings, good fortune, even happiness are finite. Generally I don’t think I feel entitled to
things, but I do recognize strong negative emotional responses to this attitude
in others.
—-“Its just not
fair” is simply trying to justify anger, resentment
—-Stems from Lack
of Trust in God
*Scripture “everyone
should work with their own hands so they have things to share with others in
need.”
—-This is not about being selfish but about having an
outwardly looking and giving mentality and life
There is good news- God isn’t going to run out! He is More than any of us know we need. He is certainly More than we deserve. So, you can’t use the poverty mentality with
God. Life isn’t always fair in our eyes,
but life isn’t always about us!
*Abundance
Mentality:
-There is more than
enough to go around
-We can be happy when others get blessed.
—-This is truly a wonderful feeling. When you move beyond pity, sadness, anger or
resentment, you can feel joyful even elated at another’s blessing. It has changed my life!
*How
to Change:
-How do we go from Poverty Mentality to Abundance?
1. Choose to
celebrate when others are blessed
2. Trust God (He’s more
than I think He is)
3. Meet other
people’s needs
4. Know that God has
our best in mind (its even better than my own ideas, imagine that?!)
–Parable of the Talents: one man gets only 1 talent when others
got 4 or 5…he buries it because he feared losing the “scarce” resource. The others used the resources and God gave
them more! The first man was shamed and
given no more…Use what God has given you.
It is right, actually, it’s perfect.
It is more than enough. Be the
vessel He created you to be. Shine brightly
for all the world.
—-Moral: USE the Blessing!
