By Phyllis Gregg, Presiding Bishopric office director
This is what the Lord has commanded: Gather as much of it as each of you needs, an omer per person according to the number of persons, all providing for those in their own tents. The Israelites did so, some gathering more, some less. But when they measured it with an omer, those who gathered much had nothing over, and those who gathered little had no shortage; they gathered as much as each of them needed.
Every year I plant a garden. The first time I looked at the barren spot that would be my garden, I wondered if anything would really come from it. Even after planting the seeds and seedlings, it still looked so desolate…a few little green sprouts and a couple stakes marking where seeds were in the ground. Many times I’ve been tempted to plant more, just because it looked so empty. But I’ve found when I overplant, I can’t use what grows fast enough and things spoil. So I’ve learned to be patient…to wait…knowing there will be enough and even some to spare.
When God led the Israelites into the desert, they were scared they would not have enough. How could this wilderness possibly provide what they needed to survive? So, God provided manna. God told them each day the manna would fall, and they were only to collect what they needed for the day not attempting to hoard it. Whenever they collected more than they needed, it spoiled.
The Israelites had to rely on God every day. Even though they sometimes complained and didn’t follow God’s plan, the manna kept showing up. Every day, for decades, God demonstrated no-strings-attached generosity.
If we view the manna as symbolic of the live-giving gifts God provides every day in our lives, do we really appreciate those blessings? God provides in such a way that sometimes this amazing generosity feels ordinary.
Every day we can choose to be thankful for what we have. When we become anxious about what we need for tomorrow, next year, or even the next decade, we feel the need to hoard, and we lose sight of God’s sustaining gifts.
There is enough and to spare. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed.” The evidence of God’s abundance surrounds us. We simply need to take the time to stop and see it. What we need is here.
God invites us to strip away our cluttered existences so we can more fully discover God and God’s abundant world. When we are able to recognize God’s generosity and are transformed from a place of scarcity to abundance, then we are liberated to share with those around us. Just like the Israelites in the wilderness and later in the Promised Land, as we harvest the bounty of the fields, we are called to extend those same provisions to our neighbors. This generous sharing moves us closer to Christ.
Prayer Phrase
“…share abundantly in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
From Scarcity to Abundance
Take a deep breath and release your fear of “not enough.” Name one place of scarcity in your life, then name one way you already see abundance. Offer a simple prayer of gratitude: “God, open my eyes to your abundance.”
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.