Sufficiency vs. Abundance

My Journal - Agatha Nolen

“Gathering of the Manna,” James Tissot (1896-1902), The Jewish Museum, New York City

I just finished the best class at Duke Divinity, “Old Testament and Leadership” taught by Dr. Ellen Davis and Dr. Sarah Musser. In addition to challenging readings and wonderful guest speakers, I realized that most of my religious life had been spent learning about the New Testament even though it is only 25% of the whole Bible and has about 5,000 words compared to 12,000. In our last class session we were sharing how our coursework in the Old Testament may have transformed our way of thinking, or how it might change our ministry in the future.

All of the twenty students had poignant comments, but one from an Episcopal Priest, Rev. Emily Rowell has stuck with me for these past weeks. The intense study of the Old Testament had resonated with her about how we should talk about sufficiency rather than abundance. I started thinking how it would change my life if I started thinking more about having enough rather than having more.

“Abundance” originated in 14th century France with the stem of abundans meaning overflowing, or full. Those terms seem different to me. If I have a cup of coffee that is “full”, it is up to the top of the rim, but if it is “overflowing”, it burns my hand when I try to pick it up to drink.

I would like to think that I lead my life to “fullness” by having enough, but not more than I need. At the very least, anything that I possess to excess, I should consider sharing with those who have less. During the pandemic, I didn’t want to be in crowds and was avoiding stores. I found myself ordering a case of dish soap from Amazon or Costco. Living alone meant that many items I ordered lasted more than a year. I still can’t pass up a sale on 72 rolls of toilet paper.

The pandemic has subsided, and the supply chain seems more reliable, but I still haven’t shaken this idea that I need more of everything. My pantry is full and even the dogs have more toys than they can play with in a month.

This Advent season, I’m going to be studying the Old Testament and dwelling with the Israelites when they were wandering in the wilderness. God told them that he would supply enough “manna” for them each day, except on the sixth day when he would double their supply (so they could enjoy a Sabbath rest). If they gathered more than they needed for a single day, it became “wormy and rotten” (Exodus 16).

I want to gather only exactly what I need for sufficiency, knowing that any overabundance will become rotten in the eyes of the Lord.

Blessings, my friend,

Agatha