In any discussion where economics is involved, scarcity is bound to come up. As an economic term might be unfamiliar to you but in this life it’s a pretty common thing.

Scarcity is shortage. It is lacking in something. We feel it when we get sick (lack of antibodies to fight an infection); we feel it when we procrastinate (lack of optimism or motivation); we feel when we fight or argue (lack of charity or patience); and we certainly feel it when we’re humble (lack of pride or stubbornness).

On Monday, we might call it ‘wishing the weekend was longer’. On Friday night it might be called a “blind date”. And when Sunday comes, we’re likely to refer to it as “Opposition”

In All Things

Lehi taught us that “it must needs be , that there is an opposition in all things,” (2 Nephi 2:11). Think of it, if our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ in their infinite love and grace are at one end, what could possibly be at the other end? What is more opposite of infinite than shortage? The everlasting life in all it’s glory sits at one end of the spectrum and the ever-lacking lies at the other: and somewhere in between turns the days of our lives . . .

The adversary would love it if we experienced the vast shortage of love, life and joy that he experiences. Paul taught us that the love of money is the root of all evil. Perhaps so it is with scarcity. Scarcity in and of itself is not bad, but when we love it more than the abundant life that Christ’s atonement and teachings offer us, we’re in trouble. We’ll discuss in the book and later in the blog, how scarcity is vital to the Plan of Salvation. It allows mortality to be the testing ground that it is. It’s part of the perfect plan to optimize our spiritual growth. It’s important, then, to keep scarcity and opposition in it’s proper place. If we can understand it better, we can use it to our benefit. It can become a powerful tool for character-building.

So, let’s end on a question: what’s a scarcity you are experiencing in your life? How might it be an opportunity for growth?

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