A Theology of Scarcity?

I recently listened to an interesting article on NPR (I'll pause, and give you time to chuckle at that. I don't mind.). Two researchers looked at the idea of how scarcity can affect our thinking and decision making. Here's a link to the article: "How Scarcity Trap Affects Our Thinking, Behavior"

Basically, they looked at two kinds of scarcity: financial scarcity and time scarcity. The researchers contend that those suffering from the latter have a similar line of thinking and make similar decisions as those of the former. Business professionals operating under a constant time crunch, under a constant feeling of never having enough time, often make decisions that lead to them having even less time, much in the same way people who are in debt make poor financial decisions that lead to still more debt.

I found this fascinating because I think this could influence how I might serve people as a pastor in Southwest Virginia and South East West Virginia. I see this area as being more diverse than what some people may think. You can drive through a seemingly upper middle class neighborhood and without realizing it transition into what looks like a forgotten ghost town, except that for so many it's not "forgotten" but "home." And yet, although there seems to be such a difference, such a gap between the have's and have not's, maybe there are more similarities than we think.

What if that feeling of not having enough is a major factor in the lives of both groups? What does that say for how we approach them with the gospel? What if a major factor in the lives of many people around here, whether they are short on cash or time, is the same factor: I need more.

More. Professionals, who may be in a better spot financially, may still be racked by a sense of always lacking. Lacking the time they believe they desperately need. And someone living in an impoverished state may actually share many of the same feelings, just with a different object as the felt need.

I think this can aid those who wish to share the gospel. Remember that everyone around you may be suffering from scarcity of some form or another. And, scarcity may be influencing them to make some poor decisions that may trap them in a vicious cycle. Jesus says, "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden [or how about "all you who are suffering from scarcity"?], and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

The gospel is for rich and poor alike. I miss the mark if I think one group needs it more than another. All people need Jesus. The good news is he is more than enough. Our message is that faith in Jesus can pull you out of the belief that you'll never have enough. I believe that Jesus can make the feeling of scarcity a distant memory.

Do you see this feeling of scarcity (financial or that of time) in people around you? Do you think the idea of scarcity could create connection point between too seemingly different groups (those in poverty/debt and those who feel trapped by a lack of time)?