Abundance in God’s Kingdom: Moving from Passive Non-Action to Active Love
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where scarcity led to frustration and chaos? Perhaps you’ve experienced a moment similar to the story of a concert where the headliner played early, the food ran out, and tension grew among the crowd. These experiences can leave us feeling anxious and disappointed, but they also offer a powerful contrast to the abundance found in God’s Kingdom.
The feeding of the 5,000 is a profound example of God’s abundance and how it can transform our lives. Imagine a simple yet powerful scene: Jesus seated on a blanket, surrounded by thousands of people, handing out loaves from an seemingly endless pile. In this crowd, there’s a small empty spot with the words “A place for you” right next to Jesus. This image invites us to consider our place in God’s Kingdom and challenges us to move beyond passive non-action to active love and service.
In the crowd, we might hear voices that sound familiar to our own thoughts. “Next time we’re gonna get here on time,” says one person in the back, while another closer to Jesus mutters, “Some of these people don’t deserve free food.” These comments reveal two common mindsets that can hinder our ability to fully embrace God’s abundance and grace.
The first comment reflects a scarcity mindset, one that assumes there isn’t enough to go around. But in God’s Kingdom, abundance is the norm. We’re called to trust in this abundance and to participate in it actively. The seat next to Jesus isn’t about privilege; it’s about service. It’s the place of the first servant, who passes the bread on until all 5,000 are fed. In God’s Kingdom, anxiety is unwarranted, and we are freed from it. Our focus shifts from securing our own portion to ensuring others are served.
The second comment about deserving free food touches on a fundamental misunderstanding of grace. The concept of “deserving” something free is problematic, especially in the context of God’s grace. The word “deserve” implies earning or meriting something through service or actions. But God’s grace is truly free – it comes without strings attached or cost. We’ve all fallen short, sinned, and messed up. None of us can claim to deserve God’s blessings. Yet, God’s grace is given freely to all.
This doesn’t mean God’s grace is cheap or should be taken for granted. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer reminded us, free grace is not cheap grace. God wants us to understand the value of this gift and to share it, not cheapen it by taking it for granted. It’s out of thankfulness for what Jesus has done for us that we keep God’s commandments and forward God’s love, grace, and forgiveness to our neighbors – not as something they deserve, but as the same grace that has been given to us.
When we think about God’s commandments, we often focus on what we shouldn’t do. But Jesus made it clear that the spirit of the commandments goes far beyond avoiding physical sins. Martin Luther emphasized this in his Small Catechism, pointing out that not only should we not harm our neighbor, but we should also actively help and support them in all of life’s needs. We are called to do good, not just avoid doing wrong.
This brings us to a playful yet profound concept: “DONJUSDONBUDO” – Don’t Just Don’t But Do. It’s not enough to simply refrain from wrongdoing; we’re called to actively do good. We shouldn’t just avoid harming others; we should help and support them. We shouldn’t just refrain from speaking ill of others; we should speak well of them and interpret their actions in the best possible light.
The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in his letter to the Ephesians. He doesn’t just tell thieves to stop stealing; he encourages them to work honestly so they can share with those in need. He doesn’t just warn against evil talk; he urges us to use our words to build others up and give grace to those who hear.
This active approach to love and service reflects God’s own example of countless acts of mercy and abundance. It follows Jesus’ example of healing, cleansing, feeding, nurturing, and forgiving – even those who crucified him. Jesus didn’t just refrain from punishing us; he blessed us with resurrection and eternal life. He didn’t demand that we had to deserve it because, as Paul writes in Romans, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift.”
Jesus fed the 5,000 not because they deserved it, but because they were hungry. This act of love and service wasn’t about earning favor or buying our way into anything. In God’s Kingdom, abundance reigns, and we are called to rise above passive non-action to active love and service.
So, where do we see ourselves in this story of abundance? Are we content to simply avoid wrongdoing, or are we willing to actively serve and love others? Are we trapped in a scarcity mindset, or do we trust in God’s abundance? Do we judge who deserves grace, or do we freely share the grace we’ve been given?
The invitation is clear: take your seat next to Jesus, not for privilege, but for service. Pass the bread of God’s love and grace to others. Don’t just avoid harm – do good. Speak words that build up and give grace. Work honestly and share with those in need. Forgive freely, just as you’ve been forgiven.
In a world often marked by scarcity, fear, and judgment, we’re called to be bearers of God’s abundance, love, and grace. It’s not always easy, and we’ll certainly fall short at times. But that’s the beauty of God’s grace – it’s not dependent on our perfection, but on God’s love.
As we go about our daily lives, let’s challenge ourselves to move beyond passive non-action to active love and service. Let’s embrace the abundance of God’s Kingdom and share it generously with others. In doing so, we not only bless others but also experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from living out our calling as followers of Christ.
Remember: DONJUSDONBUDO – Don’t Just Don’t But Do. In God’s Kingdom, there’s always enough to go around, and there’s always a place for you at the table. So take your seat, receive God’s grace, and pass it on.
