The Abundant Life: Riches money can’t buy…
The abundant life has a relationship with God.
Christ came so we might have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) Some modern ministers lead us to believe this refers to wealth and prosperity. They encourage people to go boldly before God and claim this promised abundance. These “health and wealth” and/or “name it and claim it” preachers measure faith by how much God blesses us materially.
In fact, Jesus said that a man’s life does not consist of the abundance of the things he might possess. (Luke 12:15) If we seek first the kingdom of God, we won’t have to be overly concerned about such matters. (Matthew 6:31-33) If we humble ourselves before Him, He will exalt us when the time is right. (1 Peter 5:6-7)
Of course, an abundant life does not preclude riches or worldly success, but it does not depend on it either. Paul knew this better than anyone. He knew how to be exalted and abased. No matter how bad things got, he could be content and give thanks in all circumstances. (Philippians 4:11-13; Ephesians 5:20) In other words, we can experience the abundant life even if we are going through trials with our family, poor as church mice, or at the bottom of the work force food chain.
We’ve already learned previously that the life referred to in this passage is eternal life, everlasting life, or life without fear of death. The phrase “more abundantly” means “beyond, more, and above measure.” So not only did Jesus come to give us eternal life, but even more than that, He lives His life within us right now. His very presence in us adds something immeasurable to our existence. He is what makes our life worth living in spite of how much money we have in the bank.
If we read the whole passage of John 10, we see it’s about Jesus being our shepherd, we sheep hearing His voice, and Jesus being our open door. The whole context refers to us having access to God. And that, my friend, is what the more abundant life is all about. Not only do we get eternal life, but as an added bonus we have the opportunity to participate in a relationship with Jesus Christ. We have access to the very One who makes it all possible.
Money cannot buy us a “more abundant” life, but God can help us receive it if we let Him. The more we open our hearts to God the more abundant our lives will be. Abundance is not always about having more; sometimes it’s about having enough.
*****
“…I have come that they may have life and that they
may have it more abundantly.” ~John 10:10 (KJV
