The word “abundant” is used throughout our Old Testament scriptures to describe Yahweh’s unlimited love and His covenant faithfulness. The authors readily confess that their God is abounding in (Hebrew ra»-µese¼), or has an abundance of (Hebrew rœ» µese¼) steadfast love!
Psalm 86:5
For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.
Isaiah 63:7
I shall make mention of the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He has granted them according to His compassion and according to the abundance of His lovingkindnesses.
In Isaiah 55:7, the Lord’s prophet calls upon the people of Israel to repent of their wickedness and return to Yahweh, “for He will abundantly pardon” (Hebrew yarbeh lislô(a)µ, literally meaning to “multiply pardon”).
In the New Testament, (Greek gk perisseúœ, hyperperisseúœ) abound, abundance, abundant, and abundantly are usually translated — “to be or make extremely rich” — “to overflow” — “cause to overflow” or “to be present in greater abundance” as proclaimed concerning God’s grace in Romans 5:20-21:
The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The familiar passage of scripture in John 10:10 speaks of an “abundant” life afford those who truly believe in Jesus Christ:
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
The Biblical text repeatedly warns against putting one’s trust in the abundance of material things. In Psalm 37 we are advised against envy when seeing the wicked prosper … knowing that they, along with their wealth, will be destroyed, and that the Lord is faithful to preserve those who put their faith/full trust in Him. (see Psalm 37) Therefore, the little that the righteous may have is ultimately better than the abundance of the wicked (see Psalm 37:16). Consider:
Proverbs 15:16
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
Proverbs 16:8
Better is a little with righteousness, Than great income with injustice.
Unquestionably, Yahweh promised — and gave — to Israel an abundance of material blessings (see Deuteronomy 28:11); but He also warned that if this prosperity did not lead to the faithful service it could/would be taken away (see Deuteronomy 28:47). In fact, this is exactly what happened to Israel, as prophesied by Ezekiel (see 7:11) and recounted by Ezra (see Nehemiah 9:25).
Nonetheless, Israel was promised that when she repented of her disobedience, her fortunes would be restored and she would experience prosperity greater than she had known before (see Deuteronomy 30:9; Isaiah 66:10; Jeremiah 31:12-14; 33:6-9; Ezekiel 36:29). Therefore, it appears that God’s desire throughout history (HIS STORY) has always been to abundantly bless His people.
In the NT, abundance takes on many forms much greater than that of material possessions. Knowing abundance is an absolute characteristic of one’s new life obtained through genuine salvation — faith in Christ Jesus! This abundance is unlike anything previously known, and is stimulated by spiritual growth. The Lord’s abundance is appropriated (poured out, received and acted upon) in every Christian’s life to bring about complete transformation.
This fullness is not manifested in the realm of material blessings, but in the abundance of grace that is, according to the scriptures, lavished upon His Church (see Ephesians 1:3-14). Thus the believing, Christian community is empowered to do far more than it could dare to imagine (see Ephesians 3:20)!
While the NT does not denounce material abundance, it stresses its imperfect value and its dangers. Jesus warned that “a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (see Luke 12:15). Remember, Paul testified that he had learned to face both material abundance and deprivation with equanimity (see Philippians 4:12). One value of material abundance lies in the opportunity it provides for generosity (see II Corinthians 8:14); and to those who give generously, there is the promise that:
God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.
In this regard, my consistent prayer for all of us at WOF is that each one will prosper and be in good health, even as one’s soul prospers. — From III John 2
II Corinthians 9:8
His & Yours, PF