August 13, 2023
”The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 (NRSV)
“But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us.” Ephesians 2:4 (NRSV)
What is an “Abundant Life?” What did Jesus have in mind when He said that “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” Are you living an Abundant Life?
Some, in Christendom and others who ascribe to the “prosperity gospel” would say that the Abundant Life means or equates to health, wealth, and prosperity as being promised to you in this life. Now let me say upfront, there is nothing wrong with lavish homes, expensive cars, and financial security, however, let’s pause for a moment and think about what Jesus is actually teaches regarding an abundant life. Because a mere superficial or hasty glimpse at Scripture proves that simply isn’t the case! What Jesus said in John 10:10 about abundant life could not mean that He promised health, wealth, and prosperity because, throughout the New Testament, believers are promised various hardships and persecutions in this life!
When we pause and clearly look into the Word of God exegetically, it is clear that wealth, prestige, position, and
power in this world are not God’s priorities for us as noted 1 Corinthians 1:26-29. “Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.” (NLT) In terms of economic, academic, and social status, many Christians do not come from the privileged classes. Clearly, then, abundant life does not consist of an abundance of material things or power. If that were the case, Jesus would have been the wealthiest of men. But just the opposite is true as noted in Matthew 8:20, But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”
This word “abundant” in the Greek “περισσός – perissos” is translated “abundant” in John 10:10, which means “exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure, more, superfluous, a quantity so abundant as to be considerably more than what one would expect or anticipate.”
So, what is an abundance life? What is Jesus saying? He is saying, the abundant life is the full life, the life found in Christ and blessed with His fruit. The abundant life is spiritual abundance – NOT material! Abundant life is eternal life, a life that begins the moment we come to Christ and receive Him as Savior and goes on throughout all eternity. The biblical definition of life, specifically eternal life, is provided by Jesus Himself: “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent”- John 17:3. This definition makes no mention of length of days, health, prosperity, family, or occupation. As a matter of fact, the only thing it does mention is knowledge of God, which is the key to a truly abundant life.
Basically, Jesus promises us a life far better than we could ever imagine, a concept indicative of 1 Corinthians 2:9: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” The apostle Paul tells us that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, and He does it by His power, a power that is at work within us if we belong to Him Ephesians 3:20.
Interestingly, God is not overly concerned with the physical circumstances of our lives. He assures us that we need not worry about what we will eat or wear as noted in Matthew 6:25-32 and Philippians 4:19. Physical blessings may or may not be part of a God-centered life; neither our wealth nor our poverty is a sure indication of our standing with God. When we read in Ecclesiastes 5:10-15, Solomon had all the material blessings available to a man yet found it all to be meaningless. The Apostle Paul, on the other hand, said that he was content in whatever physical circumstances he found himself in Philippians 4:11-12.
Unlike a thief, the Lord Jesus does not come for selfish reasons. He comes to give, not to get. He comes that people may have life in Him that is meaningful, purposeful, joyful, and eternal.
We receive this abundant life the moment we accept Christ as our Savior!
Even though we need and naturally desire material things, as Believers in Christ our perspective on life must be transformed. Paul says in Romans 12:2, Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. Just as we become new creations when we come to Christ as in 2 Corinthians 5:17, so must our understanding of “abundance” be transformed. True abundant life consists of an abundance of love, joy, peace, and the rest of the fruits of the Spirit as in Galatians 5:22-23, not an abundance of “stuff.” It consists of life that is eternal, and, therefore, our interest is in the eternal, not the temporal. Paul admonishes us, in Colossians 3:2-3, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God”
WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF GREAT ABUNDANCE?
- We are never to put our trust in abundance of anything other than the abundance of God’s love. All the gold on earth cannot buy one day in heaven. All the wealth of the world cannot buy one blessing from God.
Psalm 52:7-8. “Look what happens to mighty warriors who do not trust in God. They trust their wealth instead and grow more and more bold in their wickedness.” But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.”
- Material abundance can be a barrier to faith in God because of the false sense of independence from God wealth often breeds.
Mark 10:23. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for rich people to get into the Kingdom of God!”
- Wealth alone, regardless of the amount, can never fully satisfy. Money can cultivate a craving-the more you have, the more you want and so on in a vicious cycle that never has a satisfactory conclusion. Wealth without God is true poverty.
Ecclesiastes 5:10. Those who love money will never have enough. How absurd to think that wealth brings true happiness!
- Material abundance is the wrong measuring stick of real worth. Poverty with God is true wealth.
Luke 12:15. Then he said, “Beware! Don’t be greedy for what you don’t have. Real life is not measured by how much we own.”
- Abundance can lead to the sin of pride.
2 Chronicles 26:15-16. His fame spread far and wide, for the Lord helped him wonderfully until he became very powerful. But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall.
- Abundance can cause us to forget God and become disobedient to Him. We may become so comfortable that we are lulled to sleep spiritually.
Deuteronomy 8:11-14. Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and laws. For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, that is the time to be careful. Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.
The Lord God Almighty is the Source of Abundance.
Isaiah 30:23. “Then the Lord will bless you with rain at planting time. There will be wonderful harvests and plenty of pastureland for your cattle.”
2 Corinthians 9:8. God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need, and plenty left over to share with others.
AN ABUNDANT 
HEART: God’s greatest gift to us is an abundant life! The life He gives now is rich and full. It is eternal, yet it begins immediately. Life in Him is lived on a higher plane because of His abundant forgiveness, love, and guidance. In contrast to the thief who takes, Jesus gives. Again! in John 10:10 He says “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19.
FATHER GOD: Thank You for Your Word that gives us clear instructions on how we are to live the abundant life. Thank You God for showering us with Your abundant love and kindness. Help us never to be confused about what You sacrificed for us to experience an abundant life, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen!