Bill's Bible Blog

Continuing our theme for March, Be Thankful for Another Year, this week we hlook at Psalm 65:11 and Thank God for His Abundance.

The concept of abundance from God follows a similar development in the Bible as the previously discussed concept of God’s help in battle–from physical, to psychological to spiritual–let’s follow that strand.

In the Old Testament, we see that God’s abundant blessings have to do with material things:

Psalm 66:12, remembers the Children of Israel leaving Egypt for the Promised Land, a place of great abundance, described as a land “flowing with milk and honey.”

In Deuteronomy 28:12 God promises that IF the Israelites will obey God’s commands in their new land, THEN the Lord will “open the heavens” and bless them with an abundance of crops.

Proverbs 3:9-10 is another if-then promise. IF the Israelites will honor God with their tithes and offerings,

THEN He will continue to bless their crops so that they will continue to have an abundance.

In Psalm 23, a metaphor for God as the Good Shepherd, the phrase “…my cup overflows…”, means God provides more than what is needed (an abundance), just as He has promised.

But then in the New Testament, we see a move from a physical abundance to a psychological and spiritual abundance. In Luke 6:38, Jesus’ teaching about a generous measure in giving to others appears to be about physical things:

But in a similar statement recorded in Matthew, we see Jesus also means how we measure out intangible things.

So, in John 10:10 when Jesus says He came to give us an abundant life, is that an abundance of things, or of something less tangible?

Actually there is a clue in the Old Testament. In Exodus 34:6, when God revealed Himself to Moses, one of His qualities was, “abounding in lovingkindness.” This speaks to the character of God.

Since God’s character abounds with love, then it is natural that He gives generously of Himself and anything that it is within His power to give.

As Providence, He provides for our physical needs. 2 Corinthians 9:8.

But what our God truly wants to give us are the things our heart and spirit need inside. Such as joy, peace and hope.

Also in 2 Corinthians, we see that there is a purpose for God’s generosity to us as Christians. We are given all that we need so that we can, “abound in every good work.” We’re supposed to be doing God’s good work!

This point is made clearest in Ephesians 2:10.

And that is why, a little later in the epistle, Paul says God is able to do more through us than we can ask or imagine.

God’s abundance in our lives, both physical needs on the outside and psychological and spiritual needs on the inside, is not just for us, it is so He can touch those around us with the good news, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, THROUGH us.

So, look around and within–God has blessed you with an abundance. Remember to express thanks to Him for it and then GET BUSY!