What does the Bible say about abundance?

The Concise Oxford English Dictionary defines abundance as “a very large quantity of something; the state of being plentiful or prosperous.” In the Old Testament, Israel existed on a limited supply of resources. Thus, abundance was a symbol of God’s blessing of physical provision and spiritual well-being and a key biblical element of Israel’s future hope. In the New Testament, abundance features prominently in the New Covenant of salvation in Jesus Christ (see John 10:10).

Older Bible translations, such as the 1611 King James Version, used the English words abundance, abound, abundant, and abundantly with great liberty to translate about twenty Hebrew words and almost as many Greek words. These terms were frequently used to describe limitless aspects of God’s character, like His love and faithfulness.

The Old Testament writers declare that God is “abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (see Exodus 34:6, ESV; see also Numbers 14:18; Psalm 86:5, 15; Joel 2:13). They remember and rely on “the abundance of [His] steadfast love” and “saving faithfulness” (Psalm 69:13, ESV; see also Psalm 5:7; Isaiah 63:7; Lamentations 3:32). They count on the Lord’s mercy, “for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7, NKJV).

God provides “rain in abundance” for His people (Psalm 68:9, ESV; see also 1 Kings 18:41; Job 36:28; Joel 2:23), water (Psalm 1:3; 78:20; Numbers 24:7), fruit and vegetation (Ezekiel 47:12; Daniel 4:12; Revelation 22:2), food (Numbers 13:27; 2 Chronicles 31:10; Psalm 37:19; Proverbs 3:10), spacious land to dwell in (Genesis 26:22; Exodus 3:8; Psalm 31:8; Psalm 66:12), and blessings of material wealth and prosperity (Genesis 24:35; Deuteronomy 8:8–10).

Material abundance was often a reward for obedience to the Lord (Leviticus 26:3–5; Deuteronomy 30:6–9; Job 42:12), although not always (see Job 1:12; 2:6; Psalm 37:16; Philippians 4:11–13).

The Bible has much to say about spiritual abundance in both the Old and New Testaments. God’s divine power has been poured out in abundance on behalf of His people from the days of creation to Israel’s liberation from slavery in Egypt and in every age since (Deuteronomy 9:26; Psalm 93:4; Joel 2:29–32; Romans 1:20). Through Jesus Christ, the abundance of His power is a spiritual blessing that now works in us and through us as believers (Ephesians 1:18–20; 3:7, 20).

The apostle Paul speaks of “the immeasurable riches of his grace” (Ephesians 2:6–7, ESV; see also Romans 5:20). God’s grace is a spiritual blessing that has been poured out abundantly on those who are in Jesus Christ: “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8, ESV). God’s grace abounds to us, supplying our every need so that we, in turn, can be generous and share with others (2 Corinthians 9:9–14). Through the Lord’s overflowing grace, we have been abundantly forgiven (Ephesians 1:7) and filled “with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:14, ESV).

The apostle Peter describes the abundance of God’s grace and peace as having been “multiplied” to us (1 Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 1:2, ESV). The multiplication or duplication of His grace from us to more and more people results in the abundance or “increase” of thanksgiving (2 Corinthians 4:15; 9:11–12).

The Bible also inspires hope for believers by assuring abundant future blessings from the Lord. Although we pass through many trials and troubles in this present life, these experiences are preparing us (1 Peter 5:10), developing us (James 1:2–3), and “producing for us” a future abundance of “glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Corinthians 4:17, NLT; see also Romans 8:18; Isaiah 64:4). God’s promise of abundant eternal life is far beyond our expectations and even our wildest imaginations (John 10:10; Psalm 31:19; 1 Corinthians 2:9; 2 Peter 1:11; Revelation 21:4).