To listen to the blog post “3 Ways The Scarcity Mindset Is Keeping You Broke” over reading it click the play button below.
A scarcity mindset is something that many Christian people suffer from and it NEEDS to stop. If you want to walk around being poor, always in need, and always in an eternal state of struggle then know that is not something that you HAVE to do as a Christian. That is something that you are choosing to do as a Christian. And if you choose to stay in a scarcity mindset after reading this post, then that is on you. But you can’t say you didn’t know.
Aside from many Christian having a scarcity mindset themselves, they also get mad or angry at other Christians that are doing well and are making money and have the nerve to judge them and tell them that they are false prophets, are not from God, and are going to hell.
The last time I checked only God Himself can make that call and he tells us not to judge each other but yet and still. Anyway, that whole no Christian can have money is a false theology that I intend to fully break down to you so that it will now and forever always be broken down AND hopefully you will not shift into the mindset that God wants us all struggling on earth in being in need.
God is our father and if you are a parent, and your child comes and ask you for food why would you leave them starving and struggling when it is within your will to give your child food?
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11
The above Bible verse should be enough to get you out of your scarcity mindset but I know that I will have to go above and beyond to let you know that you do not need to suffer in the name of Jesus, not prosper, and sit around being jealous of other Christians who are choosing to prosper. Also, don’t forget to watch my video below for more information, and click here to subscribe to my YouTube channel.
Scarcity Mindset ~ In this post I am going to:
- Give you the common beliefs that Christians have that keep them in a scarcity mindset.
- Why these beliefs are wrong and how to switch to an abundance mindset.
- The Secret of prosperity in the Bible
- What does the Bible say about being rich and why so many people get it confused?
- Why God wants you to be rich.
- And last, to tell you how to switch from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset.
Also, be sure to check out my blog post on 4 Exact Reasons How God Plans For You to Prosper for more information on this topic.
We have a lot to cover, so let’s get into it, shall we.
Common beliefs that Christians have that keep them in a scarcity mindset.
1. Scarcity Mindset ~ Believing that your situation is permanent and there is nothing you can do about it because it is God’s will.
Many Christians think that if they do not have money or that they are struggling in life that it is God’s will and so they mine as well just sit there and let life happen to them. This is a poverty mindset. God gave us free will and there is nowhere in the Bible that God tells us to just sit there and take whatever is happening to us and not do anything. In fact, there are several times in the Bible when things are happening to people and they pray for God to intervene in their situation. Not sit there and let life happen to them.
2. Scarcity Mindset ~ Why these beliefs are wrong and what the Bible has to say:
I am going to tell you about the story of Ruth. You should really read the entire book but in a nutshell, Ruth’s husband died, her father and law died (Naomi’s husband), and her sister and law’s husband died. They were on their way to Bethlehem and on their way, Orpah decided to go back to the city of Moab because that is the mindset she was stuck in. Never mind Moab was sacrificing children and there was probably NOTHING there for her, she went back anyway.
Ruth, on the other hand, went to Bethlehem when she got to Bethlehem, she just did not sit there and stay broke in the street because of the raw deal life handed her and felt like was God’s will. Instead, she went, put herself to work, and she had faith that something was going to change. In the process, she met Boaz who was rich, became his wife, and found that this was God’s will.
To prove my point I want to take an excerpt from my book for single women “Fix It Jesus For Single Women Only” which you can buy here or you can click the picture below to get the first chapter for free.
And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor. Ruth 2:2 (NIV) I often ponder why Ruth said this. I am not sure she knew who, where or what she was going to find, but she knew that she was going to go work her butt off and find favor from somewhere and something was going to happen. But Ruth did not let her situation get the best of her. Instead, she got up when it was early and she went out and worked for the entire day. She did this because she needed food and she knew that working was the only way to get it. She wandered into the field of Boaz. When Boaz saw her, he saw a hard working woman and admired her.
My point is that Ruth hit on hard times but she did not just sit around and say “oh well, this sucks and there is nothing I can do it about it.” There is a lot of things that you can do about your situation but it is up to do you do it.
3. Scarcity mindset vs Abundance mindset ~ What’s my point and how you can shift this into an abundance mindset:
You can shift your mind to an abundance mindset by realizing that you have a lot of free will. You may not be able to do everything, but you can do something to get yourself to where you need to be in life. I want to use myself as an example. If you read my blog here about the time I was struggling.
I talk about how I lost my job, how I was broke, how I was making WAYYYY less money, and the last thing I refuse to was sit there. In fact, I feel that it was this issue that actually propelled me to starting my own business. I refuse for my income and my job to be dictated by another person and so I got something on my own.
Hence this blog, my books, and all the rest of the stuff I have done. Can you imagine if I would have just sat there after losing my job and my income and said oh this is God’s will and not tried to do anything? Then I would still be in that mindset struggling to make ends meet. When really, like Ruth God’s will was for Ruth to meet Boaz. And God’s will for me was to start my business.
4. Scarcity Mindset ~ Using thoughts, words, or excuses for scarcity.
- This is a big one. Some of the common phrases I hear.
- Jesus was poor. Jesus suffered (along with any other references comparing yourself to Jesus).
- Jesus said that it is easier for a rich man to fit through an eye of a needle then it is to get into heaven.
- Money is the root of all evil.
- My riches are stored up in heaven.
- Christians are not meant to be rich or have money.
- As well as any other justifications you give yourself as to why it is okay or why it is God’s will for you to be in scarcity.
5. Scarcity mindset vs Abundance mindset ~ Why these beliefs are wrong and what the Bible has to say about this.
Many of the above statements come from the Bible and if you are going to quote the Bible to keep yourself in a scarcity mindset then you should at least read the entire thing in context so you can see that all of the above statements are not at all what God intended. So let me debunk these right now.
Jesus was poor. Jesus suffered (along with any other references comparing yourself to Jesus).
Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:6-8
Jesus suffered so that we don’t have to. He made himself poor, he made himself the lowest of the low and it was all for us so that he could be a proper sacrifice for all of us. No matter if you are the poorest of the poor or the richest of the rich he was still a proper sacrifice because he made himself below everyone. He suffered so that his sacrifice would account for any and every one now and in the future.
The price has already been paid. Why continue to punish yourself and put yourself in jail for a crime that someone else has already confessed to and been punished for? And Jesus willingly gave himself up for us so that we can be free and have the life we deserve. You do not have to be like Jesus, make yourself poor, and a servant. For what? He has already one that. He did that so that you won’t have to.
Jesus said that it is easier for a rich man to fit through an eye of a needle then it is to get into heaven.
People love to use this verse but everything in context. I suggest you read Mathew 19:16-26 to get a full explanation of what I am about to say.
In this situation, the man came to Jesus and was claiming to be perfect (which none of us are). Jesus called his bluff and said okay well if you are perfect then give up all of your money and follow me. In which case the man turned away because he was, in essence, saying that his money was more important than following Jesus and therefore he was coveting money. In which Jesus said (and I am using the amplified Bible so that you can get the entire meaning of the verse).
But when the young man heard this, he left grieving and distressed, for he owned much property and had many possessions [which he treasured more than his relationship with God].
Jesus said to His disciples, I assure you and most solemnly say to you, it is difficult for a rich man [who clings to possessions and status as security] to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man [who places his faith in wealth and status] to enter the kingdom of God. Matthew 19:22-24
I have highlighted the parts which basically prove what I am saying. But please read the entire story in context. Matthew 19:16-26. But the point is that most people are not willing to give up all their riches for God in which God stated that it would be easier for him to go through the needle of an eye, because most people would covet their money and not be willing to give it up for God which is why most people do not reach that level of prosperity. So God does want you to be abundance but he does not want you to love money or put it over your relationship with him. That is the real meaning of the above verse.
6. Scarcity mindset vs Abundance mindset ~ Money is the root of all evil Vs Money Is Evil
Now that you have context of the above story then know that money is not the root of all evil but rather the love of money is the root of all evil. When people say this, they got it from the Bible verse:
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10
Which basically means that you should not love money more than you love God. A perfect example of this is Solomon. Where God ask Solomon to ask him for whatever he wanted and God would give it to him. Solomon asked for wisdom to help him be a better king over God’s people and God gave him wisdom and a lot of money because he did not covet money but instead asked how he could be of service to others.
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for ”both wealth and honor”so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. Kings 3: 10-15
Since Solomon did not covet money aka love money God gave it freely to him. Money is not the root of all evil but the LOVE of money is.
My riches are stored up in heaven.
The saying comes from the following Bible verse:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth Matthew 6:19
This goes along with the idea of coveting money because storing up money on Earth is not going to get you into heaven. But why can’t you have money on Earth and in heaven? If you take the Lord’s prayer that we so often say, it states the following:
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10
Which means that you are asking for God’s will to be done here on Earth like it is in heaven. So you should see where I am going with this in the sense that if your riches are in heaven then you can call for them to be done here on Earth as well. It is in the Lord’s Prayer. You can have both riches on Earth and in heaven why does it have to be either or?
Christians are not meant to be rich or have money.
If you read the Bible you can clearly see that God has blessed plenty of people with money.
- David 1 Samuel 26:23-25
- Solomon Kings 3: 10-15
- Joseph Genesis 39:2
- Job (after his suffering) Job 42:12
- Esther (she became queen) Esther 2
- Ruth Ruth: 4
- Isaac Genesis 26:16
- Jacob Genesis 30:25-31:55
And their wealth came from God so, I think it is clear that he meant for us to have money.
7. Scarcity mindset vs Abundance mindset ~ How you can shift this into an abundance mindset:
Before you start quoting all of these Bible verses and stories about how God wants you to be poor how about you actually read the Bible for yourself and learn the context of how none of that is true as I have just proven. Instead of saying to yourself that you are meant to be in lack because it is some spiritual mission from God. Read other Bible verses about how God wants to give to you.
Read Bible verses such as:
The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. Deuteronomy 28:13
Beloved, I pray you to prosper concerning all things and to be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2
Also, check out my blog here for more post on prosperity and blessings.
Also, you can click here to buy my Christian positive affirmation guide with scripture and Bible verses that will help shift you into that abundance mindset.
8. Scarcity Mindset ~ Being Envious of Others
If you do not want any money or if you are fine staying where you are at and are content with the wealth you currently have then good for you. BUT why do Christians have to hate on other pastors or even people who are wealthy? Of course, I am not looking in the wallets and books of every single pastors or person so I could not tell you if they are earning money the legit way or if they are coveting money.
I am not them, but I also am not going to be jealous or turn my nose up just because they have wealth AND most importantly I am not going to say they are not from God because they have wealth. As we have already established God can and will bless someone with wealth. And who those people are, are no concerns of yours. And it is a scarcity mindset to feel like you can’t be wealthy as a Christian so no one else can either.
Some people can be so Christian and start judging other people to the point that it is actually un-Christian. Being envious of others is actually works of the flesh.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
So while you are being envious of other people telling them why they cannot be blessed by God because they are too rich, you are actually the one sinning because you are envious of them and what they have. Which I have a video on that you can watch down below.
9. Scarcity mindset vs Abundance mindset ~ Why these scarcity mindset beliefs are wrong and what the Bible has to say about this.
According to Jesus, the first two commandments are:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:36-39
What’s my point and how you can shift this into an abundance mindset:
If you want to be all Christ-like then instead of coming at your fellow neighbor for what they have and telling them that their wealth is of the devil, why don’t you do some reflection and ask yourself why you are really mad?
Why are you mad at what someone else chooses to have with their own life? And if you are really projecting onto them because you are mad because you want what they have. But because you have a scarcity mindset, you don’t believe it is possible for you to have as a Christian. Instead of harboring all these negative emotions on other people, shift your emotions and be happy. Be happy for them, be happy for what they have, and dare I say. Support them.
Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:9
If we are all one body in Christ and they are believers then choose to support them and know that when you do so, you are encouraging the same amount of support to come back to you.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38
After reading this post I hope that you see the scarcity mindset is getting you nowhere and you are living beneath the life God has for you. If how you are living is making you happy and you do not wish to go higher, then by all means that is your choice.
But I do not want you to condemn those who choose to have an abundant mindset and do want to go higher and have more wealth, provided they are doing it in a godly way. I also want you to understand that just because they choose to do so does NOT mean abundance is against God’s will. I actually think that having a scarcity mindset is against God’s will. It is insulting to him as a father that you feel He can’t or won’t provide you with an awesome life.
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