Dear Friend,
I have a confession: I tend to operate with a scarcity mindset.
A scarcity mindset is a belief that there will not be enough of something. It could be money, or time, or job opportunities, or friendships…the scarcity mindset can apply to anything. This fear of not having enough makes me grasp things with a tight-fist and an anxious heart. The scarcity mindset makes me stingy and selfish.
I avoid the deep conversation with my husband in the morning because I have a busy day ahead and I worry that I will run out of time for the things on my to-do list. I resist giving generously because I worry that there won’t be enough money in the bank account for retirement. I keep clothes in my closet that I haven’t worn in years because something is better than nothing….right?
The scarcity mindset has not served me well.
But God reminded me recently of one way that the scarcity mindset just might be useful. My lesson began in I Peter 4:7-10:
"The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitability to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms."
Did you catch it? Did you catch the thing that actually IS scarce?
The end of all things is near.
Life. Is. Short. Jesus is coming back soon.
And because no one knows the day or the hour that Jesus is coming back (Matt. 24:36), we should live a certain way. Because time is scarce, we should be clear-minded and self-controlled so that we can pray. Because time is scarce, we should love each other deeply. Because time is scarce, we should offer hospitality to one another. Because time is scarce, we should use our gifts to shower God’s grace on one another.
A scarcity mindset with anything else will shrivel our souls and starve our relationships. It will have us focused on cleaning our house instead of hosting people in it. It will keep us from sharing our time, our money, and our spiritual gifts with those who need them.
But a scarcity mindset with our time on earth will propel us toward love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24). It will motivate us to live with an urgency that compels us to love Jesus and love others with everything we have.
I needed that reminder today.
Maybe you did too.
Let’s keep reminding each other.
Laura
I love this and can certainly relate! :)