The Monday Memo 254

When I am in Africa, I spend a lot of time thinking about home.  When I am at home, I spend a lot of time talking and thinking about Africa.  In keeping with this pattern, today I think I'll write about a lesson I learned in Africa.

I was in Kenya recently and took my son on some game drives at the famous Masai Mara region. I have been there three times and have done numerous drives in other parts of Africa.  It never gets old, however, no matter how many drives I do wherever they may be.  The Mara happens to be my favorite area for drives.

There is one outstanding lesson I always take away from every game drive and that lesson is abundance.  Let me explain.

ABUNDANCE

When you go on a drive, you go through many square miles of grass and trees.  You see warthogs, wildebeests, lions, giraffes, elephants and many other creatures.  Unless there are unusual circumstances that create a drought, there is always plenty for everyone to eat.  Granted, they may eat one another, but there never seems to be any lack.

While we were in Kenya last month, the migration of zebras and wildebeests had begun.  More than one million wildebeests and even more zebra come into the Mara area from Tanzania for a month of feeding on the high Mara grasses.  Can you imagine how much grass it takes to feed millions of animals for one month?  Yet there is always plenty for all comers.  And the animals who migrate feed the lions, hyenas and crocodiles who await their arrival.

I never see any anxiety among the animals, not that I would recognize it if they could be anxious.  When they are hungry, they eat.  When they are tired, they sleep.  When they are thirsty, they look for water.  Everything they need, they have. 

So if God can provide such abundance in that world, why don't I believe that He can produce it in my world as well?

MONEY

I marvel when I travel to cities where millions of people live.  How does everyone get fed?  How is there enough water for those residents to drink, bathe, eliminate waste, and cook?  How is there enough electricity?  How is there enough housing for most of the people?  Truth is, the abundance is there,just like on the plains of Africa where the animals roam.

I just don't always believe that there is abundance when I need something. If God is able to take care of millions of people as well as millions of animals, He can certainly take care of me.

Do you believe in abundance?  Don't answer too quickly.  If you do, then why don't you start your business, publish your book or take that trip you have been talking about for years?   Is it because you don't have the money?   Why would money be exempt from the abundance principle that we see all around us?

THREE THOUGHTS

May I offer three thoughts that may help you include money in your abundance philosophy.

1.  Money is included in the abundant provision of life.  When Peter needed money to pay his temple tax in Matthew 17:27, Jesus sent him to the lake to pull out a fish that had the required money in its mouth.  That story alone tells us that God has no problem providing you with the money that you need to do His will.

2.  When you need money, you will have money.  Don't wait to make your plans until you have money.  Make your plans and the money will be there when you need it.

3.  When God provides for you, He hasn't taken it away from someone else.  There isn't a fixed amount of currency in the world.  God can create wealth and money just like any other entity.  Your blessing doesn't come at the expense of someone else.  Therefore you don' t have to be ambivalent or guilty about your provision. 

God provides for the animals and for millions who live in cities.  God can also provide for you as you seek to be productive and fulfill your purpose.  I would suggest that you examine your attitude about abundance this week and especially where money is concerned.  Then armed with confidence, I urge you to make great plans that will enable you to use God's abundance to carry out His will.  Have a great week!

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Comments

[Ian]

Thanks Dr J that was very encouraging indeed. For me it painted a beautiful picture, which will help me keep going forward.
Blessings from Ian your friend in Gosport

[collina]

Dr J this is such a true word but I'd like to take it a step further. I felt led to fast money for one week and I went where ever I needed to go with no money and God provided all the way. Many things happened but to mention one,I had someone I had met only once, had not seen for over 3 months and at that time this person thought little of christians, call me and offer me transport to church so I was covered for Sunday cause God wanted me to be in church. Ilearnt that even without money God makes a way where there seems to be none. He wants us trust Him through and through.Thanks for the word Doc.

[Jackie]

I must testify. Last year I needed to go to Cape Town but did not have the funds. A friend told me to make my flight bookings etc anyway. The moment I did that God spoke to me to speak to my company about the trip and they paid for it all. Then early this year I decided to travel to botswana. When I planned all this I had no idea where the funds would come from but I knew that I wanted to be there. Well this time around God worked differently.The night before the journey I got a call from a friend accross the border who said I should make sure I don't fill up my tank with fuel because they wanted to fill up my tank for the journey. Not only that but when I got to my destination (Gabarone) God showed me his provision there. An old friend decided they wanted to fill up my tank for the journey back. Another friend decided she wanted me to shop - so she gave me some money. God lined up so many people who wanted to take me out, etc, there was just an overflow. At the end of that journey I realised something-if I hadn't planned any of those trips I would never have experienced God's supernatural provision. (And in case anyone's wondering - I never even told any of the people that blessed me about what I needed.)

[Eva]

Thanks John, that makes alot of sense...
You have reminded me to go a head and make my plans - God will provide the money!!

God bless you...may he grant you safety as you travel, more strength and inspiration.

[Mike]

Hallo John,
Its great having received my first monday memo am a Kenyan who first had
you in Hope Fm.Am looking forward to a great time and communicate with
you by the way when are you coming to Kenya.I have been challenged as a
young youth leader by your purposequest articles that have transformed the
way i think and manage myself.My purpose is to "organize reality in the
creation"because i have found myself in situations that i don't like where, i question the system and i usually find it had to fix myself in things that maintain the status quo.Have a great week.