The Scarcity Mindset
What is a scarcity mindset? It’s the belief that there’s never enough:
Lack of faith/trust in God (doubting Him)
Not enough money
Not enough time
Not enough love
Not enough of God’s provision to go around.
A scarcity mindset operates from a place of fear and limitation, it hinders our ability to experience abundance, gratitude, and trust in a larger provision It’s like thinking “ I don’t have enough money to tithe because I have to pay bills” . (God is bigger than our bills). Realistically, as a christian it’s illogical to believe that God is all powerful and to think that he can’t take care of any lack that we may have.
Philippians 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
It can affect more than just your budget; it can poison your prayer life, choke your generosity, and leave you living in constant fear.
Where it Started
In Genesis 3 Adam and Eve lived in paradise with nothing to worry about and still, the serpent planted the idea that God was holding out on them.
Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
They believed the lie that what they had wasn’t enough. They had every tree in Eden and still doubted God's goodness. (Scarcity mindset - distrust in God)
In Ezekiel. God warned that because of rebellion, people would eat rationed bread and drink measured water:
Ezekiel 4:17
for food and water will be scarce. They will be appalled at the sight of each other and will waste away because of their sin.
True scarcity came not from God’s cruelty, but from people trusting themselves more than Him. Sin breeds scarcity. Faith breeds provision.
The answer to Scarcity is trusting in the Provider
Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
God doesn’t deal in barely-enough. He deals in overflow. Just the concept of how you can plant one orange seed and get a tree, and that tree can give you a countless number of oranges (and so on) is a perfect example of how God deals in abundance.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
We should never act like (or think) we don’t know who God is, regardless of how things look. (this is why our relationship with him, Bible study and prayer is so important)
Jesus didn’t just talk about provision, He demonstrated it. Jesus fed thousands from 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. He blessed the little they had — and it multiplied into more than enough.
Matthew 14:20
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
How a Scarcity Mindset Hinders Our Spiritual Growth
When Prayer feels desperate, not confident. ("God, if You're even listening...")
Giving feels painful, not joyful. ("I can’t afford to be generous or tithe.")
Trust becomes transactional, not relational. ("If God blesses me, then I'll trust Him.")
Your focus shifts from God's kingdom to your personal survival.
How to Break Free:
Recognize the Lie.
Scarcity thinking says God won’t come through - That’s a lie
Remember God's Track Record.
From manna in the desert to feeding 5,000, - God specializes in provision.
Practice Trust.
Give a little even when you feel tight.
Spend time with God even when you feel "busy."
Focus on the Kingdom First.
When you chase after God’s purposes, provision follows.
If God can easily feed thousands with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, or sustain a widow’s oil through a famine (1 Kings 17:8-16), He can handle your needs too.
Ditch the scarcity thinking. Trust in our heavenly Father.
Let’s Pray. Dear Heavenly Father, help me to trust You and not give in to the fear of not having enough. Remind me daily that You are able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine. Teach me to seek Your Kingdom first and rest in Your promises. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
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