Why A "Scarcity Mentality" Is Not Helpful In Times Like These! - Luke 9

In times of uncertainty like we are facing, there is often a mindset of what we call the "scarcity" mentality.  It is a mentality of frantic worry that there will not be enough to take care of our needs.  Do you think that describes our current reality?  I think so.  Today's parable teaches us about an abundance mentality, which is so necessary for the times we are living in right now. 

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

10 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, 11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. 12 Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” 13 He replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” 14 (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

The context of the story is the disciples had just returned from their first mission trip, where they actually did the things Jesus had been doing among them. He gave them authority to heal the sick, cast out demons, and proclaim that the kingdom of God was at hand.  God's kingdom had come to the earth as Jesus came and showed what things are like when God is ruling on earth as He does in heaven.  You can only imagine their excitement when they returned back to home base having done the things they saw Jesus doing. But the day was not over.  There was more kingdom work to do.

Given what Jesus and the crowds were doing the people started following Jesus AND the disciples in greater numbers.  So when the crowds bore down on them at the end of the day, the disciples wondered how they were going to feed all these people.  They had seen a lot of miracles happen that day, but they weren't sure how they could provide for all these people.  So they asked Jesus to send the people away so they could find something to eat for themselves.  

I love how Jesus answers the disciples query, "You give something to eat".  Not what they were expecting I'm sure.  This disciple probably thought, "Yeah right Jesus, do you see how much fish and bread we have here?  Do you see how people are out there?  About 5,000!!!"  Undeterred Jesus has them sit down in groups of fifty.  He is planning for the miracle which is about to happen.  Then, Jesus takes the bread and fish gives thanks and the food is distributed to the people. Not only did they all get food, but they were satisfied.  Astonighly there were leftovers!

We are living in a time where people are panicking about having enough. Don't believe me, just go to your local grocery store or Costco.  Granted we need to be wise and stock up to have enough reserves to be in our houses for a long time, but you can see the "scarcity mentality" when people are taking ten times what they need.  Hence others can't get the basic amount necessary for their families. This is a good example of the "scarcity" mentality.  

So how can we have what we call an "abundance mentality" during these stressful times?  First, we need to take stock of what we have.  Is it truly enough from a reasonable perspective and the guidelines given us?  If the answer is "yes", we need to give to God our worries and ask him to provide for us if the need becomes overwhelming.  This is the same philosophy for our physical health.  Are taking the necessary steps to be sanitary, maintaining social distancing and avoiding the people and places where you could get contaminated?  If yes, then trust God for the rest of your worries.  

Today's story reminds us that if we give to God what we have with thanks, are smart in preparing ourselves for the worst, we can leave the rest to him!