Principles to Live an Abundant Life, Part 2
This series examines biblical principles for living abundantly, emphasizing Jesus as our shepherd and our relationship with Him as sheep in His flock.
Is it really possible to live an abundant life? Yes! Jesus assured us this is both a spiritual and physical reality for His followers.
Jesus stated that He came to give His followers more than just an ordinary life — He offers a life of fullness, abundance, and prosperity.
Abundant life begins with a genuine relationship with God through Jesus. As we walk closely with Him, we understand that He promises to love, care for, and provide for us in every way.
Jesus stated in John’s gospel that He is the good shepherd and that His followers can recognize His voice and trust Him. Then He states that living an abundant life is His intention for us.
“9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:9-10 NKJV
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, or good king, contrasting with others who seek only power and control over people. Additionally, He is the gate, or door. In many Eastern sheepfolds, the shepherd sleeps at night in the gateway to prevent the sheep from wandering out and to protect them from predators.
From this perspective, Jesus is stating (my paraphrase), “I came to give my sheep a protected, fulfilled, and abundant life, as a good shepherd or king, to My people. I will protect them from going out when they shouldn’t and from enemies coming in.”
Abundant is from the Greek Perissos, meaning: exceeding (the usual number or the usual measure). In John 10:10, it could be translated “have in superabundance.” 1
Consider the contrast: the enemy wants to rob and destroy—God wants you to live in a superabundant realm of living by His love, grace, and provision!
Today, more Principles to Live an Abundant Life
Principle #1: Allow Jesus to be your Shepherd! (recap)
An abundant life starts with following Jesus as our Shepherd and staying close to Him each day. Faith in Christ and an ongoing relationship with Him lay the foundation for a fulfilled and abundant life.
When we surrender our hearts to Jesus and start following Him, we learn to recognize His voice, and our trust grows deeper.
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3 NKJV
Eternal life is about knowing God intimately through Jesus. This marks the start of a fulfilled life. Psalm 46:1 tells us to be still and “know” that I am God… “Know” comes from the Hebrew yada, meaning an intimate understanding.
Twentieth-century pastor and author Norman Vincent Peale said, “The basic secret of overcoming worry is the substitution of faith for fear as your dominant mental attitude.”
Fear is the opposite of faith. Let faith-filled thinking guide your thoughts. Faith confronts challenges with the belief that “God has this!”
People who don’t know Christ don’t understand this simple truth—sheep recognize the voice of their shepherd, and the shepherd knows His sheep and cares for them!
We are called to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We love Him because He loved us first. Knowing that His love never fails reassures us—always! Jesus is our Rock and our foundation for living abundantly.
Principle #2: God’s Covenant is one of Abundant Life
We see in both the Old and New Testaments that God’s covenant with us promises abundant life.
A step toward experiencing full biblical prosperity (spirit, soul, and body) is to believe that it is God’s greatest desire for you.
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2 NKJV
The English word prosper comes from a Greek word eudoo, meaning “to have a successful journey,” “to do well,” “to succeed,” and “to prosper.” It suggests overall well-being and success, not just financial prosperity.
Abundant living is a state of well-being. It is internal joy, even in the midst of suffering, because of knowing Christ.
“The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” Prov. 10:22 NKJV
Rich in this verse comes from the Hebrew word ashar, which means: to have abundance, to be materially enriched, or to increase in resources. Simply put, it means to have enough.
As you walk in a relationship with Christ, fullness of life and true riches follow, with no sorrow!
True abundant life goes beyond material things. It involves walking with God, loving your family and others, staying in His peace, being thankful, and enjoying the simple pleasures in life.
Every day is a gift—every day is a bonus. Maintaining perspective is key to living a happy and fulfilled life.
Life centers on love—both experiencing God’s love and sharing it with others.
Have you ever gathered with family or close friends and felt the warmth of laughter, joy, and connection? With Thanksgiving this week, it’s a perfect reminder of abundant life! We all long to know God and to be part of a family.
Abundant life means walking with God, loving your family and others, staying in His peace, being thankful, and enjoying life’s simple pleasures. Every day is a gift—every day is a bonus. Perspective is essential for living a happy and fulfilled life.
An enemy to abundant living is worry and fear. Consider what Jesus promised in Matthew’s gospel:
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matt. 6:31-33 NLT
Why do we worry? It’s because we lack confidence that God will provide. We give in to fear and lack the faith and trust that God will make a way. We need to remember the truths of Prov. 3:5-6 and Phil. 4:6-7.
Question: Have you doubted that God would provide? What’s the answer given in Matthew 6:33? Seek Him first! Draw close to Jesus, our Shepherd. Listen to His voice, allow Him to comfort, encourage, and remind you of His faithfulness.
It’s been said, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future!” We can trust Him.
The Lord promised the children of Israel in the Old Covenant,
“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish (confirm) His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Deut. 8:18 NKJV
The English word power comes from a Hebrew word kōaḥ, which means: n. masc. strength, power, divine strength. This verb mainly describes physical strength and prowess or a display of power. 2
In this verse, we could say, “God gives us divine strength, power, and ability to create wealth.” For the believer, wealth creation is to be expected and is supernatural!
God has given each of us divine empowerment to make a living and create wealth. We should expect an increase from our work to be realized in material gain.
Expect creativity, insight, even strength to do your work—the greater one lives in you! He can do exceedingly abundantly above!
The Lord desires us to overflow with His love, goodness, and blessings. He wants us to live in an abundant life and the prosperity of the soul!
I’ll continue this important series next week!
Footnotes
1 Horst Robert Balz and Gerhard Schneider, Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1990–), 77.
2 Ingrid Spellnes Faro, “Strength,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).
