Living in Abundance: Stop Competing with Others

If you were to ask anyone to define “abundance”, you would get a multitude of answers. A CEO of a major corporation will list a $55 million salary, stock options, and a secured retirement. A fast-food worker might define abundance as a $3.00 raise and owning their own home. In the same manner, a retired couple may define abundance as a paid mortgage and money to travel.

Abundance becomes a moving target when you define prosperity as outward wealth and accumulation. No amount of wealth, accrual, or asset building will ever make you feel abundant. Once you define abundance based on outward wealth; the target moves farther away. This approach to abundance sets you up to be envious and jealous of others…resulting in comparison and competition.

A major problem in western culture is its definition of abundance is based on advertising, marketing, and social status. From this perspective, abundance becomes demarcated by outward appearances of wealth, accumulation, and possessions. Modern media brainwashes us into exchanging outward appearances for the deeper meaning of abundance and prosperity.

When you stop defining abundance based upon outward wealth, you realize that wealth and possessions are a poor substitute for true abundance. Abundance is a state of being, not possession. Two key factors define true abundance. The first factor is God meeting your current, immediate needs. The second factor is the opportunity and freedom to choose a life that brings happiness, fulfillment, and personal growth.