Abundant Mentality a Kingdom Mentality

From: Josephine Lim
Date: Mon, Oct 19, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Subject: Email from London - Abundant Mentality a Kingdom Mentality

Abundant Mentality
By Josephine Lim


Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will (for you and I) - Romans 12:2

Our actions and speech are fruits of our heart and mind. What we believe is how we behave. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). Below are some examples of not having (enough of) an Abundance Mentality:

Jealousy can come in all forms either jealous of others’ achievements, success, riches, looks, wisdom, intelligence, diligence, talent or anything others have that we see ourselves lacking.

Firstly, we don’t have to be jealous of others because we are all uniquely and wonderfully created by God (Psalms 139:14). We are different from others. Each one of us has our role in our family, community, church and nation. We will never be satisfied with ourselves if we start to compare as there will always be somebody else we think are more successful. Real success is not measured by comparison but by how comfortable we feel of ourselves. Real success is when we’ve found our true joy and peace that bring real satisfaction to our whole being. In the end, when we leave this world, it is not success or material possessions that we bring with us into eternity but the relationship and identity we have in Christ and the lives we have touched from the abundance of our heart. This is Kingdom mentality.

Secondly, jealousy shows our lack of faith (towards God). We think that He is not capable enough to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). We think that He has abandon or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). We think that He doesn’t hear our prayers (1 Peter 3:12) but in fact, He makes all things beautiful (for us) in His appointed time (Ecclesiastes 3:11). He wants us to embrace all that we have (been blessed with) today so that we can appreciate what we are going to have tomorrow and in the future. A person who is secure knows who he/she is in Christ and acknowledged that God is faithful to provide for his/her present and future needs (Deuteronomy 7:9). He is for us and not against us. Let us not be too self-conscious that we lose our confidence and identity just wanting to become what society defined as successful. Be comfortable in our own skin, have an abundance mentality and be the best person we can be without subjecting to unnecessary comparison and competition that will only result in much stress, frustration and worse - depression.

When we are stingy or reluctant to contribute. This is the result of the wrong concept we have concerning giving. We think after giving, we will have less. He (referring to us) who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6). A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25). If we are stingy, it is most likely due to our wrong concept of God that we think He too has a meager hands and not willing to bless us much more. According to Matthew 6:33, Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.

When the Lord bless, He bless generously with sinking boats of fish (Luke 5 and John 21), fed 4,000 and 5,000 and gathered 7 and 12 baskets full of leftovers respectively (Mark 8 and John 6), turned water into the best wine (John 2), prospered and made rich Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the Israelites that came out from Egypt, King Solomon and many others. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed (2 Corinthians 9:8). We will never out-give God. The more we give, the more we will receive. God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).

If we worry, sad, depress, panic, or complain that's because we don’t believe God is bigger and more powerful than our circumstances. Nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). Now to Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us (Ephesians 3:20). “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone …does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:22-24)

Let us give, forgive, love, serve and work from the abundance of our heart. Whatever we do, do it from the abundance of our heart as for the Lord rather than for men (Colossians 3:23) then our receivers will be moved by our deeds and truly blessed. Thus whatever we do will prosper and bear much fruit. People with abundance mentality is not bound or limited by what they think they have or capable of instead their trust and dependence are on the inexhaustible resources of our God who supplies us richly according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19) enabling us to do everything through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13) with all confidence. People with abundance mentality acknowledge that their God has a "big heart".

Let me share with you some of my personal testimonies relating to abundance mentality.

I used to worship lead every month in my church in Malaysia and whenever my turn came to worship lead in the coming big events, etc I would have the tempting thoughts of withholding my best songs or best song list for that event. So, I intended to sing the second best song list first until the Lord prompted my heart that this kind of thought was not right that I decided to give my best each time I serve. Abundant mentality is giving our very best each time we are given the opportunity to serve and God will supply even better ideas the next time.

I believe in generosity and to be honest I am still learning day by day to be more generous. I have seen numerous times, whenever I see or feel there is a need in somebody’s life or just feeling like wanting to bless someone, I will do it. The joy and reward are in the giving itself when you see how much it means to the other person. I’ve learnt that the more I give, I am not lack at all but always have more than enough to enjoy all things that the Lord has created.

1 Timothy 6:17-19
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Let us not postpone our enjoyment. Enjoy our time with God, family, friends, colleagues, teachers and leaders in our lives. Love and appreciate them. When we are with them, make the most of the time together. Remember be generous. People love to be around those who are generous (either with their time, finances, energy, knowledge and most importantly love). Let us not postpone enjoyment for ourselves too. It doesn’t mean we spend lavishly but treat ourselves and others in the way that we want to be treated (Matthew 7:12) so we will truly be blessed. Do it from the abundance of our heart. Enjoy our work, ministries and hobbies too!

We are generous because we believe our God is generous, if we are stingy that is an indication that we see God with meager hands. We increase in wisdom, becoming more creative, loving, kind, generous and forgiving because as Christ is so are we! Let us have a Christ-like mentality - Abundance Mentality. Before long, we shall see the fruit of our right belief and as a result of our faith, great and wonderful things will happen in and through our lives.

Let us honour the Lord with Abundant Mentality of Him and towards one another.

God bless all of you exceedingly abundantly above all that you ask or think (Ephesians 3:20)!

You are Greatly Blessed, Highly Favoured and Deeply Loved by God!