February Special: Overflow of the Spirit Training Package & Free Video Event
Learn How to Release All the Gifts of the Spirit in Every Area of Life!

How Much is Enough?

Steve Stewart's picture

How much is enough? In an America where the middle class seems to be evaporating and the lower class is expanding at an alarming rate, while the top one percent accumulates both wealth and power at a pace never before seen in human history, this question rings more and more loudly in our ears.

It reflects what is perhaps the most profound lie of the world system, a lie that can be summed up in a single word: scarcity. We have all been raised to believe that the world is a closed system, a zero-based reality. (Thanks to Brian Zahnd for this understanding.) This is what drives our economics, our politics, our sociological and political conclusions. There are limited resources and if I don’t fight for my portion of them, I will be left without what I need.

A scarcity worldview leads inevitably to fear. The fear of not having enough is perhaps the greatest single motivator, and therefore molder of our thoughts and actions. It ensnares us as individuals, families and nations. We must never forget the pervasiveness of this system.

The spiritual Powers have used this world system of scarcity from the time of the Fall to control humanity for its purposes. It threatens us with loss of job, security, and prestige. It hangs over us with the constant fear of lack, or of missing out. The scarcity worldview is the primary reason why we live in a “war- shaped” world. And it is all built on a lie.

Jesus announces that God’s Kingdom has now come, and it is a Kingdom built on the truth of abundance. In heaven there is no lack; therefore, the false fear of scarcity has been banished. This Kingdom of abundance is there for everyone who will “taste and see”. This is why throughout the Gospels, Jesus challenged His listeners to see (literally, to perceive). Abundance is the truth. That is the message behind the feeding of the 5,000 and the 4,000.

When Jesus multiplied the very limited resources of the few loaves and fishes, He was stepping into the limitless resources of the Kingdom, and by having the disciples distribute the food, He was bringing them into this ultimate reality of abundance. But this is so antithetical to a lifetime of living according to the lie of scarcity, that it is incredibly difficult for the disciples to change their way of thinking.

In Mark 8, we read about an exchange that took place shortly after feeding the four thousand.

“Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” (He is warning them about the world system of scarcity that is the foundation of fear and control.)
They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”
Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand?...When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
“Twelve,” they replied.
“And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “
Seven”
He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
The miracle they had just witnessed was about more than a great crowd being fed with only a little food. Rather, it points them and us to a new reality. In the incarnation, God the Son became man (Jn 1:14); in doing so, He connected us to the infinite, to the limitless––to what is truly needed. This is why Jesus said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you.” (Mt 6:33)

Recognizing, making decisions and living according to the abundance of the Kingdom is one of the most important changes we will ever make––and one of the hardest. That is why the single most common phrase in the entire Bible is, “Do not be afraid.” God knows how deeply the world system of scarcity and fear is ingrained in us. That’s why He so patiently keeps talking to us: “Look up here. (Jn 4:35) Remember what I’ve already done. (Mk 8:18) Don’t worry. Don’t live in anxiety.” (Lu 12:22,26)

How much is enough? When we let Jesus lead us out of scarcity and into the abundance of the Kingdom, we discover that He carries the answer to that question in Who He is: the One who is our connector to the infinite boundlessness of Heaven now.

I pray also that you will have greater understanding in your heart so you will know the hope to which he has called us and that you will know how rich and glorious are the blessings God has promised his holy people. (Eph 1:18)
 

Add new comment

Comments

Add new comment

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Results

Results 91 - 100 of 485

Pages

How to Walk by the Spirit Complete Discounted Package

How to Walk by the Spirit Complete Discounted Package

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 1 Workbook | 6 DVDs | 6 CDs | Total Value $133.85

Are you like many western Christians who have been taught little about how to sense their spirits? Do you have trouble even defining what spirit sensations feel like within you, much less recognizing them? This training was birthed from Mark’s passion to live out of his spirit, and thus release the anointing of God. The problem he faced was lack of clear biblical definition as to what his spirit felt like. So Mark looked up every verse in the Bible on heart and spirit.

Includes Revised & Expanded 15th Anniversary Edition CDs & DVDs

Price: $124.95
Naturally Supernatural Complete Discounted Package

Naturally Supernatural Complete Discounted Package

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 2 Books | 6 CDs | 4 DVD | Save 15%

Now with Revised & Expanded 30th Anniversary Edition CDs and DVDs!

A step-by-step guide on “abiding in Christ” or how to let go and let God live naturally and powerfully out through you. Disarmingly simple. Mind-blowingly powerful.

Price: $122.95
Overcomer's Complete Discounted Package

Overcomer's Complete Discounted Package

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 5 books | 3 CD sets | 3 DVD sets | Save $37!

So you just encountered the Holy Spirit in a whole new way, and now you want to deepen your spiritual sensitivity and release of His power? How do you go about doing that? First of all, you want to clearly and biblically define living by the Spirit. Secondly, you want to press into intimacy with the Holy Spirit with understanding and persistence.

Price: $160.00
Overflow of the Spirit Complete Package

Overflow of the Spirit Complete Discounted Package

12 Sessions CDs & DVDs | Book 284 pgs | Workbook 50 pgs | Teacher's Guide | by Mark Virkler and Charity Kayembe

Until February 19th, Get 25% Off:

Or 50% off the School of the Spirit e-learning module!

Mark and Charity have teamed up again to create a training series on how to easily manifest the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. It took us several years to break through all the confusion and present a clear, simple understanding of how to release the nine-fold manifestation of the Holy Spirit everywhere you go and with everyone you touch. It is not hard! It can’t be since these are gifts of the Holy Spirit, not things you have to work for.

 

Price: $99.95
Overflow of the Spirit - USB Flash Drive

Overflow of the Spirit USB Flash Drive

Save over $150 on a HOST of resources by Mark Virkler and Charity Kayembe

Mark and Charity have teamed up again to create a training series on how to easily manifest the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. It took us several years to break through all the confusion and present a clear, simple understanding of how to release the nine-fold manifestation of the Holy Spirit everywhere you go and with everyone you touch. It is not hard! It can’t be since these are gifts of the Holy Spirit, not things you have to work for.

Price: $89.00

Prayers That Heal the Heart Master Package USB Flash Drive - Revised & Expanded 20th Anniversary Edition

2 PDF eBooks | 15 MP3s | 15 Videos | 181 PowerPoint Slides | More...

Prayer counseling that breaks every yoke! Everything you need to experience deep healing of your soul and spirit.

Did you know that you don’t need to be continually plagued by negative thoughts, feelings, pictures or memories?

It is not part of the "human condition" to feel the constant nagging of doubt, insecurity, or anger. No matter what sin you are trying to overcome, what lie you think you’ll always believe, or what traumas your heart has suffered in the past, you will receive total freedom and restoration by praying these prayers in faith. 

Price: $89.00
Secrets of World-Class Teachers Package

Secrets of World-Class Teachers Package

6 Books, 2 CDs, 2 DVDs all at a 15% Discount

Spirit-Anointed Teaching Materials designed to strengthen ALL teachers including parents, Sunday school teachers, cell group leaders, pastors and educators in every field! These materials will give you the tools to become a Spirit-anointed trainer!

“They were amazed at His teaching; He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Mark 1:22)

Price: $69.95

Spirit Born Creativity Package

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 1 book | 1 CD | 1 DVD

God made man creative, and, in addition, He has given man the ability to draw upon the eternal creativity of God. Locked within you lies a divine reservoir of creative energy that can transform your life.

God spoke to Marc Huddleston in his two-way journaling, "The quietness of a man's mind in My Presence is the birth place of the release of My limitless creativity."

Price: $24.95

Take Charge of Your Health Complete Discounted Package

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 1 book | 12 Video Sessions | 12 Audio Sessions | Save 15%

Discover how you can take charge of your own health — keeping yourself young, energetic, attractive, and free of degenerative diseases! Discover the biblical injunctions on diet and health, and the amazing correlations between them and modern scientific research. Updated in 2015 with 20 years of fresh insights since recording the previous "Go Natural" series!

Price: $99.95

Through the Bible 1: Pentateuch Complete Discounted Package

3 CDs and 2 DVDs by Dr. Andrew Hardy | 1 Book by Mark and Patti Virkler | Save almost 15%

Dr. Andrew Hardy takes you from Genesis through Deuteronomy in 10 sessions. This is part one of our Through the Bible series, which gives you an overview of the entire Bible. It contains CDs and DVDs of Pentateuch as well as Through the Bible workbook

Price: $60.00

Pages