And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8, New International Version)

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19, New International Version)

I like potatoes. Fried, twice baked, mashed, fries or chips, I like them all. Recently, I was facilitating a panel discussion with various leaders of the organization I work for as they shared many benefits to educate, equip and encourage our members who are primarily Christian healthcare students and healthcare professionals. As they reviewed the benefits and services available to members, I recapped with the audience by saying, “There is more! It’s like the delight we feel when we find more fries in the bag!”

I had not planned on saying that but it is what dropped in my spirit perhaps given my love for fries/potatoes! But as I continued to speak, the audience was smiling and nodding, resonating with the visual and delight many of us have experienced when after eating what we thought were all the fries in the carton, some loose fries fell in the bag and we were overjoyed to have more!

(Consequently, the same joy is not typically experienced with a bag of chips–“vacuum packed”–to be half full of what you expected and paid for)

The example of “more fries in the bag” I hope is an encouraging visual that gives us a spirit of expectation at a time of inflation, higher food prices, and a cause for trimming expenses and tightening the purse strings. God does not want us to live in a disposition or spirit of scarcity or shortage. There is more!

The aforementioned scriptures of 2 Corinthians 9:8 and Philippians 4:19 assure us that there is no shortage of supply, good things and promise with our God! It is tempting to get into a disposition of scarcity, thinking that things are in short supply; that we have to hold on to what we have or we may even lose that. A disposition of scarcity keeps us from believing for more and from being assured that THERE IS MORE. Our God is MORE THAN ABLE to supply our needs especially as we trust in Him. Not only does God care that our material and physical needs are met, He also provides abundance for our spiritual prosperity, which is even more important.

I am purposely emphasizing spiritual prosperity and not a “false health and wealth prosperity gospel” that was birthed from material law.

Psalm 1:1-3 reads “1Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does he prospers.” (English Standard Version)

God is not a “genie in the bottle” by which people construct a god to meet their every whim, material desire, fleshly desire, etc., without having to surrender or submit. God absolutely desires and honors our obedience to Him (because of our devotion and love for Him). Obedience is the Believers success that enables us to prosper spiritually and perhaps materially in situations and in life because we have followed God’s instructions. Fiat law in essence means “legally binding” and “it shall be done.” We can trust Him and His Word as we line up with His word in our living. As the Benson Commentary on Psalm 1:3 says, “His leaf also shall not wither — His blessedness is not short and transitory, as all worldly felicity is, but fixed and everlasting, like those trees which are continually green and flourishing. And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper — All his actions, being directed by the word, providence and grace of God, shall be crowned with success in one respect or another, (for even disappointments, losses, and afflictions, shall work for his good,) and with a blessed effect or end.”

Fixed and everlasting. Praise the Lord, saints!!

God has fitted us to overcome–even in a season of affliction or inflation. If we dare to hold to God’s unchanging hand, meditate on his word day and night; if we commit to following Him and His instructions, we will find that faith and obedience is the Believer’s greatest success and most importantly, our spiritual prosperity, allowing us to abound in every good work. We will absolutely bear fruit (for others to benefit from). We will be like that tree planted by streams of water whose leaves are always green. Brothers and sisters, there is indeed more!

God bless you!

Nicole