--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Why not begin operating under the idea…" description: "\"Why not begin operating under the idea that God has given us excess, not so we could have more, but so we could give more?\" — David Platt" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/222/david-platt-1251_excess_why-not-begin-operating-under-the-idea-t_2866966.png" --- # Why not begin operating under the idea that God has given… ![“Why not begin operating under the idea that God has given us excess, not so we could have more, but so we could give more?” quote by David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/222/david-platt-1251_excess_why-not-begin-operating-under-the-idea-t_2866966.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/222/david-platt-1251_excess_why-not-begin-operating-under-the-idea-t_2866966.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/222/david-platt-1251_excess_why-not-begin-operating-under-the-idea-t_2866966.png) > “Why not begin operating under the idea that God has given us excess, not so we could have more, but so we could give more?” [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. God gives us abundance not for personal gain but to share generously with others. **In simple terms:** We have extra to give away. Key Takeaway Give freely, not hoard. Themes generosity abundance service Mood inspirational reflective Type spiritual motivational When to use this quote - church gatherings - charitable events - personal budgeting Key Concepts theology ethical living community support Questions to Reflect On - What can you share today? - How does abundance change your perspective? A Different Perspective May overlook systemic inequities that limit giving. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Excess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excess/) [Given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/given/) [Given Excess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/given-excess-3900981/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [God given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-given/) [Idea God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea-god/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Operating Idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/operating-idea-3900982/) [Why not](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/why-not/) ## Related quotes > [It is a common thing to screw up justice to the pitch of an injury. A man may be over-righteous, and why not over-grateful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/it-is-a-common-thing-to-screw-up-justice-to-the-pitch-of-an-injury-a/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [... The idea of God, as meaning an infinitely intelligent, wise and good Being, arises from reflecting on the operations of our own mind,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hume/the-idea-of-god-as-meaning-an-infinitely-intelligent-wise-and-good/) [David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/) > [“The idea of God was invented in the small hours of history by a scam who had genius; it somehow reeks too much of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-nabokov/the-idea-of-god-was-invented-in-the-small-hours-of-history-by-a-scam/) [Vladimir Nabokov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-nabokov/) > [That deep emotional conviction of the presence of a superior reasoning power, which is revealed in the incomprehensible universe, forms my idea of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/that-deep-emotional-conviction-of-the-presence-of-a-superior/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [... superstitions, which, being unable to defend themselves on fair ground, raise these intangling brambles to cover and protect their weakness. Chased from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hume/superstitions-which-being-unable-to-defend-themselves-on-fair-ground/) [David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/) > [After all, is our idea of God anything more than personified incomprehensibility?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/after-all-is-our-idea-of-god-anything-more-than-personified/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [“A man’s idea of God corresponds to his ideal of himself. The nobler he is, the more exalted his God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-marshall/a-man-s-idea-of-god-corresponds-to-his-ideal-of-himself-the-nobler-he/) [Megan Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-marshall/) > [Once I Had No Idea How God Looked-Like But Now I See My God In You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/once-i-had-no-idea-how-god-looked-like-but-now-i-see-my-god-in-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The idea which tyrants find most useful is the idea of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stendhal/the-idea-which-tyrants-find-most-useful-is-the-idea-of-god/) [Stendhal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stendhal/) > [Since many things we see were once an idea, let us create good ideas today because they will be the realities of tomorrow! When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/since-many-things-we-see-were-once-an-idea-let-us-create-good-ideas/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“Not every good idea is God's perfect will for you; it may need discerning, wisdom and experience to tell the difference.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-lucas-d-shallua/not-every-good-idea-is-god-s-perfect-will-for-you-it-may-need/) [Dr. Lucas D. Shallua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-lucas-d-shallua/) > [Nature herself has imprinted on the minds of all the idea of God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/nature-herself-has-imprinted-on-the-minds-of-all-the-idea-of-god/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ When \[Satan\] undertook to draw Eve away from God, he did not hit her with a stick, but with an idea. It was with… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/when-satan-undertook-to-draw-eve-away-from-god-he-did-not-hit-her/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [The idea of God is the sole wrong for which I cannot forgive mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-sade/the-idea-of-god-is-the-sole-wrong-for-which-i-cannot-forgive-mankind/) [Marquis de Sade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-sade/) > [“So you truly do not believe in God?" "I find no reason to, in nature... If the idea of God is unknown in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/so-you-truly-do-not-believe-in-god-i-find-no-reason-to-in-nature-if/) [Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/) ## More by David Platt > [Every saved person this side of heaven owes the gospel to every lost person this side of hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/every-saved-person-this-side-of-heaven-owes-the-gospel-to-every-lost/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [He (Jesus) came so that we might receive new life through supernatural regeneration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/he-jesus-came-so-that-we-might-receive-new-life-through-supernatural/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [The road that leads to heaven is risky, lonely, and costly in this world, and few are willing to pay the price. Following Jesus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/the-road-that-leads-to-heaven-is-risky-lonely-and-costly-in-this/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [Some people think that if they will do certain things, they will somehow earn the favor of God, but this misses the whole point…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/some-people-think-that-if-they-will-do-certain-things-they-will/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [What if the word of God was enough to inspire passionate worship among his people?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/what-if-the-word-of-god-was-enough-to-inspire-passionate-worship/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [May even the concept of unreached peoples be totally intolerable to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/may-even-the-concept-of-unreached-peoples-be-totally-intolerable-to-us/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [“Disciples like Peter, Andrew, James, and John show us that the call to follow Jesus is not simply an invitation to pray a prayer;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/disciples-like-peter-andrew-james-and-john-show-us-that-the-call-to/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [A materialistic world will not be won to Christ by a materialistic church.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/a-materialistic-world-will-not-be-won-to-christ-by-a-materialistic/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [“Note the contrast, however, when you diagnose the problem biblically. The modern-day gospel says, “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/note-the-contrast-however-when-you-diagnose-the-problem-biblically/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [And ultimately, If you sin against an infinitely holy and eternal God, you are infinitely guilty and worthy of eternal punishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/and-ultimately-if-you-sin-against-an-infinitely-holy-and-eternal-god/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [Instead of trying to conquer sin by working hard to change our actions, we can conquer sin by trusting Christ to change our affections.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/instead-of-trying-to-conquer-sin-by-working-hard-to-change-our/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [Jesus came to live the life we could not live and to die the death we deserve to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/jesus-came-to-live-the-life-we-could-not-live-and-to-die-the-death-we/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [The Bible clearly reminds us that left to ourselves, we would be lost forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/the-bible-clearly-reminds-us-that-left-to-ourselves-we-would-be-lost/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [The boss says that games in hand are no good unless you turn them into points. What he's getting at is that games in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/the-boss-says-that-games-in-hand-are-no-good-unless-you-turn-them/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [God beckons storm clouds and they come. He tells the wind to blow and the rain to fall, and they obey immediately. He speaks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/god-beckons-storm-clouds-and-they-come-he-tells-the-wind-to-blow-and/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) [Explore all 266 David Platt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) ## More Excess quotes > [In discovering books, you became free to explore the full range of human motives, desires, secrets, and lies. All my life, people have scolded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/in-discovering-books-you-became-free-to-explore-the-full-range-of/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) > [My conscience is really active. So I feel bad about spending excess amount of money on things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syd/my-conscience-is-really-active-so-i-feel-bad-about-spending-excess/) [Syd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syd/) > [Christianity does not oppose debauchery and uncontrollable passions and the like as much as it opposes... flat mediocrity, this nauseating atmosphere, this homey, civil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/christianity-does-not-oppose-debauchery-and-uncontrollable-passions/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [A too closely watched flower/blossoms the wrong color./Excess attention to the jonquil/turns it gentian. Flowers/need it tranquil to get/their hues right. Some/only open at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-ryan/a-too-closely-watched-flower-blossoms-the-wrong-color-excess/) [Kay Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-ryan/) > [This isn't a picture filled with wonder and a sense of fun; it's so jaded and crass that I almost wonder if it's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-zacharek/this-isn-t-a-picture-filled-with-wonder-and-a-sense-of-fun-it-s-so/) [Stephanie Zacharek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-zacharek/) > [Enjoy the necessities of life but eschew the excesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gardner/enjoy-the-necessities-of-life-but-eschew-the-excesses/) [Ian Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-gardner/) > [Most of us try to do too much because we are secretly afraid we will not be able to do anything at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-aster/most-of-us-try-to-do-too-much-because-we-are-secretly-afraid-we-will/) [Rick Aster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-aster/) > [As the future is never known with certainty, the evaluation of the prospective benefits requires the formation of expectations. An acceptable house, partner or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-t-mortensen/as-the-future-is-never-known-with-certainty-the-evaluation-of-the/) [Dale T. Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-t-mortensen/) > [I believe that government should confine itself to the public realm and that it should be as stripped down as possible, within reason. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/i-believe-that-government-should-confine-itself-to-the-public-realm/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [All excess is ill; but drunkenness is of the worst sort. It spoils health, dismounts the mind, and unmans men. It reveals secrets, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/all-excess-is-ill-but-drunkenness-is-of-the-worst-sort-it-spoils/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [“The Deliverator belongs to an elite order, a hallowed subcategory. He’s got esprit up to here. Right now, he is preparing to carry out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-stephenson/the-deliverator-belongs-to-an-elite-order-a-hallowed-subcategory-he-s/) [Neal Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-stephenson/) > [Well, as you know, we're working through a difficult period in our financial markets right now as we work off some of the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-paulson/well-as-you-know-we-re-working-through-a-difficult-period-in-our/) [Henry Paulson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-paulson/) > [The saints differ from us in their exuberance, the excess of our human talents. Moderation is not their secret. 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