The Problem with David’s Census
One of the best habits I’ve incorporated as part of my bedtime routine is reading my Bible. What used to be an after-thought is now a pre-requisite for sleep, ensuring that I never miss a day, even if I only read for five minutes. I also like to start my day with the Word of God. But since I’m about as functional as a hibernating bear in the morning, I play a Christian meditation on YouTube while I sit up in bed, trying to rub the groggy sleep from my eyes.
Recently, before drifting off to sleep, I read the story about David’s census of Israel. When I woke up the following morning, it was immediately on my mind again. I pushed the thought aside, listened to a quick meditation, and began scrolling through my feed. I stumbled upon a video by someone I had never heard of before, and he was talking about having a scarcity mindset. At first glance, this video had nothing to do with the story of David’s census. It was about how God had blessed his business after he began seeking the Lord. Surely David didn’t have a scarcity mindset when he numbered Israel’s able-bodied men against the Lord’s commandment in Exodus 30. Or did he?
Why Was the Census Wrong?
While we don’t know David’s mindset behind the census, general thought is that it was pride and dependence on man. As stated in Exodus, God requires a ransom to be paid every time a census is conducted. This ransom is to protect Israel from a plague that would happen as a result of the census. While the details and thought processes around these situations aren’t abundantly clear, what is clear is that we are not to put our trust in man or in the strength of our numbers. We are to be wholly dependent on God. This is further emphasized in the story of Gideon and his 300 men (Judges 7). To obsessively number our resources is not to trust in Him.
Do I Have a Scarcity Mindset?
I have spent the last few years in a scarcity mindset. I have dealt with one massive trial after another, and it has taken a toll on my health and finances. Many days, I feel like I have nothing left to give – like I’m watching my resources (my health, mentality, other resources) slowly slip away from me, wondering what I’m going to do when they’re gone – when I’m completely bankrupt of the capacity to keep going. Because no matter how hard today is and how tired I am of fighting, it’s worrying about how much worse it will be tomorrow that keeps me from resting in Him. It’s feeling like He’s not providing, He’s not moving, He’s not showing up on my behalf that creates this fear that I’m about to lose everything.
Not being able to eat many foods during this illness hasn’t helped, either. It has created an intense need to gather, prep, and horde food, afraid of what might happen if I don’t. My kids know my special foods are mostly off-limits, because what else will I eat if I run out? The same goes for time to rest and sleep, time for doing my exercises, etc. If I do happen to wake up one day and feel the slightest bit better, I feel an urgency to get as much done as I possibly can, since the opportunity doesn’t come around often. It makes me want to hang on to anything good with the tenacity of a stubborn three-year-old.
God Gives Abundantly
In reality, He has created a life of abundance for me, I just have to step into it. Whatever is waiting on the other side of this trial is good. It has to be good because He is good and has promised good to me. I don’t have to cling to a good day like it’s the last good day I’ll ever have. I don’t even need to worry about what tomorrow will bring. He has it all planned out. So, it begs the question: How do we adopt an abundant mindset?
Trust in God’s Provision
Arm yourself with scriptures that remind you of God’s provision. Matthew 6:25-34 tells us that God provides for all of His creatures, and that no amount of worrying will change that. Worrying only causes us stress, and it gets us no closer to our goals. Hebrews 13:5 reminds us to be content and that He promises to never leave us. He is sovereign, and He will work all things together for our good, no matter how bad things look at the moment (Romans 8:28).
Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is a common theme on my blog, and for good reason. Focusing on what we already have instead of what we lack can help shift our mindset. Paul encourages us to be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Cultivating gratitude helps us recognize the abundance in our lives. Try jotting down three things you’re grateful for at bedtime. If you want a free template for this, check out the gratitude journal printable on my printables page.
Give Generously
This doesn’t mean we have to drop what we’re doing and give everything away. In fact, there are many things we can be generous with: our time, our words, our kindness, etc. 2 Corinthians 9 teaches us to give with cheerful hearts, and promises us that those who sow abundantly will reap abundantly. Likewise, those who sow sparingly will reap sparingly. When we give to others out of our abundance, we demonstrate our trust in God’s continual provision for us. Start by praying for insight on how to be more generous.
Focus on God’s Kingdom
Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:33 that when we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, all other things will be added to us. An abundance mindset comes from putting God’s priorities first and trusting that He will take care of the rest. This perspective helps us see that there is enough in God’s kingdom for everyone and that He will equip us for the tasks He calls us to.
Conclusion
Adopting a mindset of abundance isn’t easy when things look grim. Prices are skyrocketing, sickness is everywhere, and turmoil surrounds us. But abundance doesn’t mean smooth sailing all the time. It doesn’t mean we won’t see dark skies or suffer loss in the midst of a storm. It means His grace is sufficient for all those things and more, and that He won’t leave us forsaken in the middle of life’s trials. He has promised good, and He provision will see us through. Let’s trust Him together.
