bible

The God of Abundance

/ Masauso Moses Phiri / 2 Comments

Many conceive God as a God of scarcity. Many people unconsciously imagine Him as constantly rationing blessings. They think God reluctantly gives only the bare minimum necessary for survival. Yet the Scriptures present an entirely different picture. From the opening pages of Genesis to the closing vision of Revelation, God consistently reveals Himself as a God of abundance. Abundance is not merely something God possesses—it is part of His nature.

Abundance from the Beginning
The first home God prepared for humanity was not a barren wilderness but a flourishing garden. Before Adam ever worked, God had already planted a paradise. Genesis describes a garden filled with every kind of tree that was “pleasant to the sight and good for food.” Rivers watered the land. Gold was present. Precious stones adorned the region. There was beauty, fertility, provision, and wealth before sin ever entered the world.

This is significant. God did not create just enough trees to keep Adam alive. He created forests. He did not create one fruit. He created “every tree.” He did not provide a single stream. He provided mighty rivers. He did not scatter ordinary rocks. He mentioned gold, bdellium, and onyx. The Garden of Eden was not merely functional; it overflowed with beauty and richness.

Then God gave one of the most generous commands recorded in Scripture: “You may freely eat from every tree of the garden…” Only one tree was prohibited. Notice the ratio. Thousands of opportunities. Only one restriction. We often focus on the one thing God withheld while overlooking the countless gifts He freely gave. The command reveals God’s heart. He is not stingy. He delights in generous provision while establishing wise boundaries.

The point we need to understand is that His “no” was another generous command. He gave it to preserve humanity’s life, not to diminish our joy. “Do not eat or else you will die.” More like a good parent telling the son not to touch fire or he will burn. Psalms 84:11 says “No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” This is an important perspective to have.

God’s Covenant of Blessing
As Scripture unfolds, God’s pattern remains remarkably consistent. When God called Abraham, He did not merely promise survival. He promised blessing. He multiplied Abraham’s livestock, servants, silver, and gold until neighbouring kings recognised his influence. His son Isaac sowed during famine and reaped a hundredfold harvest. His wealth increased until the Philistines became envious. Jacob left his uncle Laban with enormous flocks despite beginning with almost nothing. Even after years of exploitation, God’s blessing produced abundance.

Throughout Genesis, prosperity repeatedly accompanies God’s covenant. This, however, does not imply that every faithful believer becomes wealthy overnight. Rather, it demonstrates that God is not opposed to wealth itself. Wealth, when rightly acquired and rightly stewarded, is presented as one expression of His blessing.

A Land Overflowing
When God rescued Israel from Egypt, He did not promise to lead them into another place of barely enough. He described their inheritance as “a land flowing with milk and honey.” That phrase appears dozens of times throughout the Old Testament. Milk represents flourishing livestock. It meant having cows and goats that produced milk. Proverbs 27:27 alludes to this. ”There will be enough goats’ milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls.” Honey represents agricultural richness. Honey is sweetness and delight. It’s pleasantness.

Together they paint a picture of overflowing productivity and an abundant life. God could have led His people into a land that merely sustained life. Instead, He chose language that communicated abundance. The Promised Land was intended to produce enough not only for survival but also for celebration, generosity, festivals, and future generations.

Kings Blessed Beyond Measure
God’s generosity becomes even more visible in Israel’s monarchy. David rose from shepherd to king. He accumulated vast resources, not primarily for personal luxury but to prepare materials for the temple his son would build.

Then came Solomon. When Solomon asked God for wisdom instead of riches, God responded with both. Scripture describes silver becoming as common as stones in Jerusalem. International leaders traveled great distances simply to witness Solomon’s wisdom and prosperity. His kingdom became a global center of commerce, learning, craftsmanship, and peace.

God did not rebuke Solomon for asking wisely. He rewarded humility with abundance. The lesson is profound. Wealth follows wisdom. The pursuit of wisdom often produces what the direct pursuit of wealth cannot.

The Wealth of a Covenant People
Across history, the Jewish people have often demonstrated remarkable achievement in commerce, finance, science, medicine, education, and entrepreneurship. Many explanations have been proposed—strong family structures, emphasis on education, literacy, entrepreneurship, community networks, and long-term thinking among them. Whatever the combination of factors, Scripture itself consistently encourages diligence, wisdom, stewardship, saving, honest business, and intergenerational inheritance.

God’s covenant shaped a culture that valued productive work rather than dependence. Their history illustrates an important principle: Lasting prosperity usually grows from wisdom practiced consistently across generations.

Jesus and Overflow
Some imagine that abundance belonged only to the Old Testament. The ministry of Jesus reveals otherwise. Whenever Jesus performed miracles of provision, He rarely supplied merely enough. When He fed more than five thousand men—besides women and children—with five loaves and two fish, everyone ate until satisfied. Then the disciples collected twelve baskets of leftovers.

Later, when He fed about four thousand people, seven baskets remained. Why the leftovers? Jesus could have calculated the exact amount required. Instead, the miracles ended with abundance. The leftovers were not waste. They were a testimony. They proclaimed that God’s resources exceed human need. He does exceedingly abundantly more than we ask.

The same pattern appears elsewhere. Water became the finest wine at a wedding feast—and in extraordinary quantity. A miraculous catch nearly sank the fishermen’s boats. Peter found exactly the coin needed for the temple tax inside a fish’s mouth. Again and again, Jesus demonstrated that heaven is not constrained by earthly scarcity.

Enough for Everyone
One of the remarkable characteristics of God’s abundance is that it does not require someone else’s deprivation. Human economies often operate as though wealth is fixed: for one person to gain, another must lose. They see wealth as a pie. No wonder some politicians refer to the nation’s wealth as a national “cake”. The implication is a piece of cake for province x leaves little for y.

God’s kingdom introduces another perspective. He multiplies. He creates. He increases. He blesses. The feeding miracles illustrate this beautifully. Thousands were fed. Everyone was satisfied. Resources remained. God’s abundance is not merely sufficient. It overflows.

Humans can also create wealth by production. When an artist makes a new piece of art, he has made wealth. Some one buys it with money they’ve earned. There is an exchange of value there.

The Purpose of Abundance
The Bible never presents abundance as an end in itself. God blesses people so they can become a blessing. Abraham was blessed so that “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Israel prospered so they could display God’s goodness among the nations. The early church shared generously because God’s provision exceeded individual need.

Abundance is not permission for greed. It is an invitation to stewardship. God entrusts resources to people who will use them wisely—for families, communities, worship, justice, generosity, and the advancement of His purposes.

Scarcity asks, ”Will there be enough for me?” Abundance asks, “How can what God has given me bless others?”

Reflection and Conclusion
Here is an invitation to trust in a God of abundance. Is it any wonder that the Lord Jesus says in John 10:10 “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” He came to give us abundant life now. Spiritually, it’s a life flowing with milk and honey in the Lord. Those who have believed in the Lord Jesus for salvation have abundant life in him. Those who haven’t believed in him yet have spiritual scarcity.

Wait. How about the ‘self denial’ of discipleship? Here’s what the Lord told Peter when he said he had left everything to follow Him. Mark 10:28-31 says: ‘Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first”’. Simply, you don’t lose anything. You gain much more. Including persecutions – for Christ’s sake. But it’s all gain.

Yes, the Lord calls us to come and die with him. But the main call is “come and live with Me.” Come, join in my abundance. Come, feast with Me. Come and eat. Come and drink. Come and see. Come and rejoice in my generosity. No wonder Jesus died that we might live through Him.

Let’s remember that the Bible begins in a garden of abundance. It tells the story of a God who blesses, multiplies, and provides. It culminates in a city where Revelation describes the tree of life bearing fruit every month and the river of life flowing freely from God’s throne. From Eden to the New Jerusalem, the storyline remains consistent. God is NOT a God of scarcity. He is the good Shepherd, thereby we shall not lack. He leads us in green pastures. He takes us to places of still waters. He restores our souls.

He is the Creator of overflowing gardens, multiplying harvests, baskets filled beyond expectation, and blessings that extend across generations. The God of Scripture is not merely the God of enough. He is the God of abundance.

Finding God’s Will: Navigating Life’s Decisions (Part 1)

/ Masauso Moses Phiri / 1 Comment

Introduction: The Crossroads

Mark is at a crossroads. Two job offers have been presented to him. Which one should he choose? Which one is God’s will for him? He likes both and is well suited to each role. Should money be the deciding factor? Or the environment in which he will work?

For Kondwani, the question is which career he should pursue. Then there is also Steve, who is wondering what God’s will is regarding whom he should marry. Stephanie is asking whether she is “called” to singleness or if there is still room for marriage.

Other questions also linger: Which country should we live in, if we could choose? Which church should I join and be part of? Should I quit my job and start my own business? Is this the right time to change what I’m doing? The biggest question for devout believers is this: What is God’s will for me in this season of my life? How can I know His will for me now?

I was ‘gifted’ this question by a young friend who wanted to know how to navigate a particular situation in her life. She was at the point of making an important decision. Being the godly and wise person she is, she wanted to ensure that she made the right decision within the will of God. In helping her—and others, and especially myself—I have taken time over many years to study and wrestle with this same question: How can we know and find God’s will for our lives?

Two Schools of Thought in Seeking Guidance

There are two schools of thought in the Christian world on this matter. Dr. Peter Masters, in his book Steps for Guidance in the Journey of Life, clearly delineates these two views.

The New View on Guidance

One is called the “new view.” The new view states that Christians are entirely free to choose for themselves when they make decisions, whether large or small, provided their choice can take account of the moral guidance of the Bible. In other words, God treats Christians as mature individuals. They can decide for themselves, as long as they follow the general guidance of Scripture.

Should I marry, and whom should I marry? This view insists that the Bible gives no specific direction regarding what God has to say about each individual’s case. It maintains that there is an area of freedom granted by God—whether one marries and whom one marries—as long as it is done in pursuit of God’s kingdom and His righteousness.

A supporting case of this view would be the example of Paul. Paul the Apostle recommended celibacy because it is less cumbersome for those engaged in missionary work. His calling as an itinerant missionary and apostle seemed to favor this, and so he remained single. He had the right to take a believing wife (1 Cor. 9:5), but he chose not to exercise this right for the sake of the gospel (1 Cor. 9:15). Does not the Lord Jesus Christ say that “there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:12; italics mine)? To some extent, this points to the level of freedom believers have in making decisions in their lives.

Such an example provides one of the basis for the new view in decision making and seeking God’s will in life. It anchors it on being rational, calculating in our thinking, and exercising our freedom to make God-glorifying decisions.

The four tenets of this view are:

  1. Christians are regarded by God as mature adults capable of making their own decisions.
  2. God gives His people the privilege of personal choice in both major and minor matters.
  3. God desires His people to make sensible decisions in light of the moral guidance and general principles of Scripture.
  4. God’s purpose is that His people grow in wisdom and responsibility, rather than “handing over” their decisions to Him.

However, some Christian writers have opposed this view. For example, Peter Masters, in the same book, critiques this view in the following words:

“It is obvious that as soon as we no longer respect God’s specific will for our lives, we will find ourselves at the mercy of our personal inclinations and desires. These are bound to influence our decisions more highly than they should, and we will find it easy to justify and indulge our whims. Also, as soon as we are freed from the duty of submitting to and standing loyal to God’s will, we will more easily sheer away from hard callings and irksome situations.”

Because of this perspective, it can be argued, Christians may lack the restraint or conviction to remain in their callings when difficulties arise. This is largely due to the absence of a strong sense that God has specifically placed them in a particular role, church, or vocation. When believers have a strong conviction of being where they are or doing what they are doing as the will of God, they persevere in the path they are in. Paul often introduced himself as an apostle by the will of God (see 1 Cor. 1:1; Eph. 1:1). This conviction gave him a sense of obligation to fulfil the task he had. But without such a conviction, one can simply bail out when the work becomes too hard to bear.

If this is the case with the new view, which has some good biblical grounds as well, what is the alternative? We shall explore that in the next blog post.

Why Preparation Leads to Success in Life Decisions

/ Masauso Moses Phiri / Leave a comment

Many people start things. Few finish them.

Many start construction projects. Few finish them. Many join gym memberships in January. Few stay consistent through the year.

Some leave employment to pursue entrepreneurship. A few years later, they are back in employment. Others, nevertheless, thrive.

Many start studies—a master’s degree, a PhD, a professional course. Again, only a few finish.

What explains the difference between those who start and finish, and those who start but never finish what they began?

The Problem with “Just Start”

I suspect the answer is simple: many do not count the cost.

We live in a culture that celebrates the mantra, “Just start!” But should you? What would the Lord Jesus say about that?

In Luke 14:28–30, Jesus says:

“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’” (emphasis added).

This is very different from the modern slogan: Just do it. You want to build a tower? Just do it. You want to go to war? Just go for it.

That is not Jesus’ counsel.

Be Prudent Before Taking Action

Jesus continues in Luke 14:31–32:

“Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.”

Failure to count the cost often leads to failure. Failure to ask whether we have what it takes to finish what we start leads to disappointment and shame.

At its core, this is about prudence and preparation.

We often celebrate the few who “jumped” and things worked out. But they are rare. Many jumped and did not land well. Many quit stable jobs to “do their own thing” and eventually had to return to employment.

Wisdom Begins with Discernment

Here is the point: we must be prudent about what we plan to start.

Proverbs 14:8 says: “The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.”

Discernment comes first. Where do you want to go? What will it take to get there?

To discern simply means to find out or perceive. This requires research. It requires asking hard questions. Seeking godly counsel from the older and wiser.

You want to pursue a certain career path? Good.
What will it take to finish it?
Do you have the aptitude for its core demands?

You want to be a lawyer? Do you have the capacity to read long cases? To write and argue persuasively? To deal with difficult clients—sometimes criminals seeking loopholes in the justice system?

Count the cost.

Beware of the Danger of Recklessness

Proverbs 14:15–16 adds:

“The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.”

The unwise person believes everything he hears.

Someone says, “I quit my job and started my own business. I’m doing very well.”
No questions are asked. Is it legal? Is it ethical? Is it sustainable?

The simple believes everything.

But the prudent gives thought to his steps. He practices delayed decision-making, especially in major life choices. He asks: What will this cost me? Do I have the knowledge and capacity required? What preparation is necessary?

Preparation Makes Completion Possible

Consider a man who wanted to run his own business. He struggled to work for others, but he had responsibilities—a family to support and school fees to pay.

Instead of “just jumping,” he prepared. He saved two years’ worth of living expenses. Only then did he resign and start a small manufacturing and contracting business. That financial cushion gave him time to learn the business. By the third year, he earned enough to sustain his family.

Another wanted to build a home. Instead of starting construction right away, they first secured land. For years, they met only the basic development requirements. During that time, they saved. They bought building blocks and stored them. They saved for the roof, then for the interior finishes.

When construction finally began, the house was completed in less than six months.

Painstaking preparation. Swift execution. Successful completion.

It Is Wise to Wait

It is okay to wait.
It is wise to prepare.
It is godly to count the cost.

Preparation matters.

So before you start anything, ask yourself this question:

Do you have what it takes to finish what you are about to start?

Three Wellness Essentials for Fruitfulness in the Year Ahead

/ Masauso Moses Phiri / Leave a comment

The year was 2024—January, to be precise. I began to feel pain on the left side of my chest. I lecture in Pathology, which is the study of diseases. Instantly, my mind went to the worst-case scenario. This could be a serious heart problem.

I went to the hospital, where they ran all the necessary cardiac tests and imaging. Everything came back normal. The consulting doctor completed his due diligence. He then asked me a simple but piercing question:
“How much do you sleep?”

He had me there.

I had been “pushing” hard the previous year. Five-hour nights were the norm. I was in serious sleep debt. Stress had accumulated. Prolonged work without adequate rest began to manifest as muscle pains.

That experience taught me an important lesson: we must be good stewards of our bodies. Ancient Stoic thought viewed the body as something evil. It was to be punished, starved, and deprived. But, the body is meant to be carefully stewarded. We are body and soul. Our spirits dwell in our bodies. If we destroy our bodies with unhealthy habits, we neglect our duty as stewards. Scripture calls the body the temple of the Holy Spirit.

How were temples kept? Clean, orderly, welcoming, and well maintained. Likewise, wise stewardship of our bodies is essential for optimal performance and productivity this year. It is part of faithfulness—and faithfulness leads to fruitfulness in both work and life.

There is very little we can truly enjoy without good health. So how can we be better stewards of our bodies this year? I would like to suggest three cardinal principles.

Eat Rightly

What we eat accounts for about 80% of the battle for good health. Even weight loss is largely about eating—roughly 80% diet and 20% physical activity.

It is not only what we eat, but also how we eat. Quantity matters. How much we eat will eventually show. We reap what we sow, even in matters of diet.

Extremes must be avoided. Both under-eating and over-eating lead to poor health. One results in malnutrition; the other in obesity. Both carry serious health consequences.

Concerning food choices, excessive fat, salt, and sugar should be avoided. In Scripture, fat was always offered to the LORD. It was burned as a pleasing aroma. The priests or the people did not eat it (Leviticus 7:23). Sadly, the sons of Eli were worthless men. They sinned by demanding meat with the fat still on it (1 Samuel 2:12–17). It may not be accidental that their father, Eli, is later described as “heavy.” Excess fat has a way of showing up.

Is the Lord not wise in instituting this law? He knows that excess fat (lipids) is harmful. Too much fat leads to weight gain, which results in fat accumulation in blood vessels. These vessels become narrowed, forcing the heart to pump harder to circulate blood. This increased pressure leads to high blood pressure and its related complications. A T-bone steak may be enjoyable—but moderation is essential.

Similarly, excessive salt intake contributes to high blood pressure, while sugary foods predispose one to diabetes—the so-called “sugar disease.”

I am not one to prescribe whether one should eat only white meat or avoid certain foods altogether. God said, “Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you” (Genesis 9:3). Scripture also warns against forbidding foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth (1 Timothy 4:1–5).

What is consistently recommended is moderation in all things (Philippians 4:5).

One final point on eating concerns frequency. How many times should we eat per day? There is no strict rule, and we must be careful not to impose one. However, Scripture reveals a pattern of God providing food twice daily—morning and evening. This was the case with manna (Exodus 16:8). Elijah experienced the same situation. Ravens fed him bread and meat in the morning and evening (1 Kings 17:6).

I have noticed a similar pattern in rural communities. People often eat twice a day. They supplement with natural snacks during the day.

Scientifically, this pattern also has merit. It allows the body enough time to break down food and extract nutrients needed for daily energy.

Ultimately, we become what we eat. Let us resolve to pursue healthy eating with moderate portions. This will greatly enhance our productivity and effectiveness in all our endeavors.

Exercise Regularly

Bodily training is indeed of some value (1 Timothy 4:7). Regular exercise—especially cardiovascular activity—stimulates blood flow, burns excess fat, and promotes overall health.

Many studies show a strong correlation between physical inactivity and non-communicable diseases such as hypertension. Increased physical activity often helps stabilize blood pressure.

Exercise does not need to be intense. Consistency beats intensity. Four to five sessions a week are enough. Nor does one need a gym. Walking alone—aiming for about 10,000 steps a day—is effective, accessible, and free. The streets cost nothing to walk on.

If you can jog, that is excellent. While excessive jogging may lead to knee problems over time, done in moderation it is a beneficial form of exercise.

Whatever form it takes, let us commit to some form of bodily exercise.

One final observation: exercise is strongly correlated with success in life. Exercise requires being intentional. One does not accidentally become consistent at it. You plan, get up, dress up, and get going. Scott Adams, in How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big, writes:
“I believe exercise makes people smarter. It makes them psychologically braver. They become more creative, more energetic, and more influential.”

I agree. The same discipline that drives a person to succeed is often what sustains an exercise routine.

If you do not exercise, start small. Even ten minutes of walking a day can make a meaningful difference.

Enough Rest

This is where I personally failed—and have since repented. I now aim for six to seven hours of sleep each night, which I have found to be enough.

The day is neatly divided into three eight-hour segments. Eight hours are for sleep. Eight hours are for work. Eight hours are reserved for everything else. Traditionally, Sunday—or Saturday for some—serves as a day of rest.

We need this rhythm. We need to work. We also need adequate rest. Rest restores the body and re-balances its chemistry. A good night’s sleep is essential for proper functioning.

Prolonged sleep deprivation is detrimental to both physical and mental health. Its effects can resemble alcohol intoxication—dizziness, impaired judgment, and reduced coordination.

It is telling that when the prophet Elijah fell into despair, part of God’s remedy was simple. “He lay down and slept under a broom tree” (1 Kings 19:6–7).

Again, moderation applies. A lazy person clings to the bed, as a door turns on its hinges (Proverbs 26:14). Oversleeping reflects sloth. But enough sleep is a blessing.

Napping can also be beneficial when circumstances allow. Take advantage of it when you can.

All the best for the year ahead.

Embrace Practical Wisdom for a Purposeful Life

/ Masauso Moses Phiri / Leave a comment

Welcome to Mas’ Insights.

This space exists for one simple reason: to think clearly about everyday life and work through the lens of biblical wisdom. It’s all about skilful living in the present world with an eye to eternity.

Life today is noisy. Advice is abundant. Yet wisdom is scarce. We are told to move faster, earn more, consume endlessly, and measure success by money and staff. Yet many of us sense that something deeper is missing. Clarity. Purpose. Restraint. Direction. And Christ-centeredness.

Mas’ Insights is an attempt to slow things down.

Who Is This For?

This blog is for people who live in the real world. Those who work, trade, farm, build, manage, invest, and lead families. Those who want to honour God without escaping real life. Those who believe faith should shape Monday morning decisions, not just Sunday worship.

It is for anyone asking practical questions like:

  • What does diligence really look like today?
  • How can I have and enjoy more meaningful relationships?
  • How can I honour and glorify God in my work and business?
  • How should a Christian think about money, risk, business, debt, and opportunity?
  • How do you build steadily in seasons of pressure and uncertainty?

The Voice Behind Mas’ Insights

Think of this blog as a sage at the edge of your everyday life—not removed from reality, but shaped by it.

The perspective here is:

  • Biblically anchored – Scripture is the foundation of all (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
  • Practical – Wisdom must influence friendship, stewardship, family, and real responsibilities.
  • Season-aware – Life moves in cycles. What works in one season may fail in another.
  • Steady, not sensational – Progress matters more than hype. Faithfulness compounds.

I write as someone who has spent time in research, business thinking, family enterprise, and faith reflection—testing ideas not only in books, but in lived experience.

What You Can Expect Here

On Mas’ Insights, you will find reflections on:

  • Work, diligence, and vocation
  • Money, wealth-building, and strategy
  • Risk, opportunity, and decision-making
  • Faith lived out in ordinary life
  • Hard-earned lessons from success, mistakes, and seasons of waiting

Some posts will be short and direct. Others more reflective. All aim to be useful, not merely interesting.

A Closing Thought

The book of Proverbs tells us that wisdom cries out in the streets—not only in temples or lecture halls. This blog is my small attempt to listen to that voice and pass it on to those on the streets of life.

If you are seeking clarity over chaos, biblical wisdom over worldly wisdom , and steady progress over shortcuts, then you are in the right place.

Welcome to Mas’ Insights.