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from Joanna When we think about provision, we may call on the name of Jehovah Jireh, we may quote scriptures about God owning the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10), or we may pray the Prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:10). God has provided plenty of scriptures encouraging us to live lives full of everything He has intended us to have. Yet, we still may have a pauper mindset. What is that? Do you or your church have one? Paupers believe that their resources are limited. If a Christian or church falls into that, we limit God’s reach and capacity. God is God! The Great I AM! We must be careful not to limit Him because we settle for less than what can be accomplished. When we look at the Garden of Eden, we see the fullness of what God intended when he created us. He wanted to build a space for us to grow and roam freely as we spend moments with Him. Yes, Adam and Eve walked with God in the coolness of the evening. That was a time of personal connection and fellowship amongst a garden that supplied every need they had. In the Old Testament, God’s people were successful when walking in alignment with Him. They spoke with Him and heard His voice, and people like Abraham, Jacob, and David had more than enough to meet their needs, physically and spiritually. Through the years, though, many parts of the church have turned away from the table God has set before them, and they have come to accept settling for crumbs under the table. Some may even use the servanthood of Jesus as an excuse not to tip someone or give generously, and still others expect everything for free, devaluing the world around them. I believe Jesus came to serve because it is God’s heart to meet us in the quietness through our Savior. He is acquainted with our sorrows in our weakest places and understands what we suffer. Jesus can relate to our sorrow, our confusion, and our needs. Imagine if it were different. Imagine if Jesus came in like a warrior king as some expected him to. His earthly experience would have been quite different! Would He understand our struggles? Would we respect Him the same? No. I think the impact of His teachings would be different, and our lives would be different, too. The life we are called to is that of the Garden. It is not a life of eating table scraps off the floor but one of royalty as children of the King. No, we are not called to be spoiled rotten or depraved but filled with life, honor, and royalty. However, the poverty mindset that so many adopt creates within us a reluctance to pursue more of what God has, almost to the point of no longer even asking. We stay at mediocre and call it holy, but that is not what God intended for His children! We were born to create, thrive, grow, and grab hold of all God has. Our homes, churches, cities, and nations were to be spaces of life, power, and growth, not some wimpy dead area filled with discarded leftovers. There is more that can be done, more that can be achieved. Take a moment to survey the areas God has called you to and consider a conversation with the Lord. Take time to sit with Him, asking Him to show you what areas might have been neglected. Is it time to trust for provision? If God has a plan for you, don’t settle for less than everything He can provide.
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