Scarcity vs. Abundance – How Your Mindset Shapes Your Finances

Over the past two weeks, we’ve explored why God cares about our finances and how we are called to be faithful stewards of what He has entrusted to us. This week, we’re going even deeper into how our mindset affects our financial decisions—specifically, the difference between a scarcity mindset and an abundance mindset.

💡 This Week’s Focus: Scarcity vs. Abundance – Trusting God’s Provision
Have you ever felt like there’s never enough money—no matter how much you work, save, or plan? Or maybe you hesitate to give generously because you worry about running out? If so, you’re not alone. Many people—even those with steady incomes—operate from a scarcity mindset without even realizing it.

But here’s the good news: that mindset doesn’t have to stay with you. In this week’s letter, we’ll explore how to shift from fear to faith—learning to trust in God’s abundant provision and walk in financial freedom.

To do that, we first need to recognize the mindset that holds us back.

🔹 What is a Scarcity Mindset?
A scarcity mindset is the belief that there is never enough—never enough money, time, opportunities, or resources. It convinces us that we must constantly hustle, hoard, and fear loss, because the moment we let go, we might go without.

This way of thinking often produces a cycle of fear and control:
• We worry about running out, even when our needs are met.
• We withhold generosity, not because we don’t want to give, but because we’re afraid there won’t be enough left for us.
• We stay stuck in survival mode, unable to imagine that things could ever improve or that God could do more than we see in the moment.

That’s why the scarcity mindset is so dangerous: it doesn’t just impact your finances—it shapes your view of God, your future, and your ability to walk in faith. It blinds us to the truth that God is our Provider, not just our paycheck.

But God’s Word tells us a different story:

📖 Key Verse for the Week:
Philippians 4:19 (KJV): “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” ‭‭

This promise reminds us that God’s supply is not limited by our salary, situation, or economy. His riches are abundant, and they are available to His children.

🔹 What is an Abundance Mindset? 
In contrast to scarcity, an abundance mindset is rooted in the belief that God is the ultimate source of all provision—and that He is not limited. This mindset doesn’t ignore financial challenges or responsibilities; instead, it chooses to trust God’s faithfulness over fear of lack.

An abundance mindset declares:
• God owns it all—and He provides for His children.
• There is more than enough, because God is more than enough.
• I can give freely, because I know who holds my future.

This is the mindset of someone who walks by faith, not fear.

What you believe shapes what you say—and what you say shapes what you do. Proverbs 18:21a (TPT) reminds us that “your words are so powerful that they will kill or give life…” When we speak fear and lack, our actions naturally follow that mindset, leading us into doubt and hesitation. But when we speak life, truth, and the promises of God, our steps begin to align with faith, boldness, and expectation, opening the door to the abundant life He desires for us.

When you embrace an abundance mindset, you begin to:
• Live with peace, knowing God is in control.
• Give freely, trusting God will replenish.
• Dream bigger, because you’re no longer bound by fear or limitation.
• Take wise risks, because your security is in God, not your circumstances.

It’s not about reckless spending or blind optimism. It’s about a heart posture that says: “I trust God to provide, guide, and multiply what’s in my hands.”

I once heard a preacher boldly declare: “I see myself in the future, and things look a whole lot better. I’m expecting my miracle—and my miracle is expecting me.”

That’s the posture of someone who lives with an abundance mindset—hopeful, expectant, and grounded in the goodness of God.

So how do you make this shift in your everyday life? Let’s look at a few practical steps to move from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance—one decision, one thought, and one prayer at a time.

🔹 How to Shift from Scarcity to Abundance
Changing the way you think doesn’t happen all at once—but little by little, with God’s help, you can start letting go of fear and walking in peace and trust. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about taking small, consistent steps in the right direction.

Here are a few ways to begin:

1. Fill Your Mind with Truth
   Fear will lie to you, but God’s Word reminds you what’s real. When you start to feel anxious, speak Scripture over your life. Verses like:
   • “My God will supply all your needs…” (Philippians 4:19)
   • “The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.” (Psalm 23:1)

   Let those truths shape your thoughts more than the fear of “what if.”
   

2. Watch Your Words
   What you believe comes out in what you say—and what you say influences what you do. So start speaking life:
   • God takes care of me.
   • I live in His abundance.
   • There’s more than enough.

   Even if your circumstances haven’t changed yet, let your words reflect your faith.
   

3. Give a Little, Trust a Lot
   Generosity pushes back against fear. Whether it’s tithing, buying someone a coffee, or giving to a cause that matters to you, it reminds your heart that God—not your paycheck—is your provider.
   

4. Surround Yourself with Faith-Filled Voices
   My pastor often asks us, “Who are you listening to?”—because the voices you allow in can either build your faith or stir up fear. Start by tuning into the Word of God. Let His truth be the foundation that steadies your heart and renews your mind. Then, surround yourself with people and messages that echo His promises and remind you of His goodness and provision. Faith comes by hearing—and what you hear regularly matters.
   

5. Reflect on God’s Faithfulness
   Think back—how has God provided for you in the past? Start a simple gratitude or answered prayer journal. When you remember what He’s already done, it becomes easier to trust Him for what’s next.

Start where you are. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just take one step today—one thought, one word, one act of faith. God will meet you in the journey.

And like Jamaican gospel artist Judith Gayle sings, “Things already betta!” Not because everything looks perfect right now, but because we serve a God who is already at work—making a way, opening doors, and providing more than enough.

Let those words settle in your heart this week. Speak them, believe them, and walk like it’s already better—because in Christ, it is.

🙌 Why This Matters in Everyday Life
The way we think about money shapes the way we handle it—often more than we realize. Shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset isn’t just a spiritual exercise; it has real-life, practical impact on our financial decisions.

Here’s how our mindset shows up in daily life:
🔹 Budgeting & Saving: When we operate from scarcity, we may obsessively hoard money, not out of wisdom, but out of fear—afraid that if we don’t hold tightly, we’ll run out. An abundance mindset helps us create a plan and save with peace. We can make room for the future without panicking about it.
🔹 Debt & Spending: Scarcity often drives impulse spending—we buy things out of anxiety, trying to fill emotional gaps or soothe uncertainty. An abundance mindset helps us spend with purpose and patience, knowing that our security isn’t found in stuff, but in the One who provides.
🔹 Generosity: Scarcity whispers, “What if I won’t have enough?” so we pull back. Abundance declares, “God is my source,” so we give freely, joyfully, and consistently trusting that God multiplies what we release.

This is why the shift in mindset is so critical. It’s not just about better money habits—it’s about building a life rooted in faith, peace, and trust.

🎯 Weekly Challenge:
Take time this week to reflect on how you think about money. Ask yourself:
🔹 Do I operate from a place of fear or trust?
🔹 Am I holding onto money too tightly instead of managing it wisely?
🔹 Am I afraid to be generous because I feel like I don’t have enough?

Write down one way you can start shifting toward an abundance mindset this week. It could be trusting God with an unexpected bill, giving even when it feels uncomfortable, or reminding yourself daily that God is your provider.

📖 Reflection Questions: 
• Where do I see a scarcity mindset in my financial decisions?
• How has God provided for me in ways I didn’t expect?
• What step can I take to trust God more fully in my finances?

📢 What’s Coming Next: 
Next week, we’ll talk about The Purpose of Wealth—How Money is a Tool for God’s Kingdom, Not Just Personal Gain.

🔁 New here or missed a few? You can read all the previous newsletters right here: financebyfaith.beehiiv.com

💬 I’d love to hear from you! What’s one way God has provided for you financially? Hit "Reply" and share!

Blessings and financial peace to you!

Sigrid Wardlaw
Wardlaw CPA | Helping clients steward finances with wisdom
 📧 [email protected]| 🌐 www.wardlawcpa.com