Have you ever asked someone if something was enough, only to have them say it was more than enough? It may have been pertaining to a dish you prepared for an event, money to buy a particular item, or groceries you bought for a family. Whatever the situation, you needed to know if what you supplied was what was needed. Usually, when people ask me that question, I reply more than enough because I don’t want them to feel bad, and I know I can fill in the gap if it isn’t enough. Maybe you answer in the affirmative, but in your mind, you are doubting.
We live in a world dominated by a mindset of scarcity. From the news headlines to our own internal monologues, we are constantly bombarded with the fear of running out. We worry about time, money, intelligence, and acceptance. Often feeling we do not have enough. In our minds, the answer is “no” because we are viewing our situation through the lens of our own limited resources.
In the Bible, we see a God whose character completely shatters the thought that what He has given is not enough. In Genesis 17:1, God first reveals Himself as “God Almighty” or in the Hebrew, “El Shaddai.” This means “the all-sufficient one.” The one who is more than enough.
Genesis 17:1 “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.”
Often in scripture, we see this character trait about God. In Mark chapter 6, Jesus had been teaching until late in the day. The multitude was huge, probably at least 15,000 or more, scripture tells us 5,000 men plus women and children. The disciples recognize the time and want Jesus to send them home. It was time to eat, and these men, like most, were getting hungry. They expected Jesus to disperse the crowd, and then they would eat with Jesus. Jesus instructs the disciples to have the crowd sit and prepare to eat. I am sure these disciples were scratching their heads, wondering what Jesus had in mind. Note, they still obeyed without knowing the plan. Jesus asks what food was available, and in verse 41, we see five loaves of bread and two fish. Now, the disciples are getting very curious. If you read the entire narrative, you will see there was plenty, with 12 baskets of leftovers. There was more than enough!
Mark 6:41-44 “And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fish. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.”
The story of the fish and loaves was only one account of “more than enough” situations in the Bible. God always pours out His grace, mercy, and provision. He, unlike us, does not use a measuring cup. He bountifully opens the floodgates and excels in his blessings to us.
Satan wants to make us believe that we have to hoard things up. He brings fear to our hearts when it is time to give a tithe of our income to God. He encourages us to save our time for the things we enjoy. He convinces us that we need to give our time to things of the world instead of going to church because we have made a commitment to outside activities. He convinces us we don’t have time to read our Bibles because we are too tired and we need a nap because there are still obligations we must meet. Yet God wants us to understand that when we feel completely drained, His strength is made perfect in our weakness. God says when we mess up, His grace is sufficient. God’s mercies are new and overflowing every morning, and what happened yesterday is forgiven and gone. God says give me your tithe, not because He needs it, but to prove to us that He is able to do above and beyond more than we could ever think.
II Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
The enemy wants to lock us into a survival mindset, making us hoard our time, our energy, and our resources out of fear. But when we realize that our source is infinite, everything changes. You don’t have to live in terror of running dry. Step out in faith, share your story, and love others generously, knowing that the well you draw from will never run dry. All He is and all He provides will always be more than enough to accomplish His will for our lives.
