Accessing The Riches Of HeavenSample

Living in Abundance

Our family was living in Central America on a mission assignment back in the 1980s. Our two sons were young, and we were living by faith with no visible means of support. Two and a half years earlier, we had left our careers in order to pursue the call of God on our lives. It was a difficult season as we were learning how to live on His promises by faith.

Our life on the mission field was simple and extremely lean. We shared a small two-bedroom house with another family. Our meals were basic: mainly rice and beans … and beans and rice. We definitely did not experience any Western extravagance in areas of food, lodging, clothing and finance, and yet there was abundance to be found if we just looked for it. We had so much to be thankful for. During this learning curve of living by faith, however, at times I often looked at what we did not have rather than what we did have.

One morning I was pouring out my complaints before the Lord—mainly regarding the lack of funds. I had just gone to the mailbox hoping for a “check in the mail” or some other means of financial support, as we had absolutely no money. But to my great disappointment, the mailbox was empty, and I was heartbroken. This was not unusual, as many weeks would go by with no letters or support, but that particular morning I really needed a sign of breakthrough.

As I sought the Lord’s presence and wisdom that day, He revealed to me that my provision was in Him and not in the mailbox. The mailbox was not my source—He was. He further revealed to me that the abundant life is not about money—abundant life is about Him. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him.

When God’s people were in the wilderness, they did not need money to buy bread––He rained it down upon them from heaven. They did not need money to buy water––He supplied it out of a rock. They did not need money to be entertained—God invited them to meet with Him in the Tent of Meeting whenever they wanted. Their clothing did not wear out for the entire forty years. They did not need money for medical bills because God was the God who healed them and He kept them in health. They lived in abundance! I realized that day in Central America that we also lived in abundance even though earthly currency was lean. There was not a day when we were without His presence, food, clothing and transportation. His goodness and provision could be found every day. I had lost sight of the fact that Jesus Himself was my treasure.

Questions to Ponder: Do you consider Jesus to be the greatest treasure in your life? If not, what is your greatest treasure?