The term "meager" is often used to describe something that is lacking in quantity or quality, insufficient, or scanty. In the context of the Bible, the concept of meagerness can be applied to various aspects of life, including material possessions, spiritual fervor, and moral integrity. The Bible addresses the idea of meagerness both directly and indirectly, offering insights into how believers are to understand and respond to situations of scarcity or insufficiency.

Material Meagerness

The Bible frequently addresses the issue of material poverty and the responsibility of believers to care for those in need. In the Old Testament, the Law provided for the poor through practices such as gleaning, where landowners were instructed to leave the edges of their fields unharvested for the poor and the foreigner (Leviticus 19:9-10). This provision reflects God's concern for those who experience material meagerness and His desire for His people to act with compassion and justice.

In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes the blessedness of the poor in spirit, highlighting a spiritual dimension to material meagerness. In the Beatitudes, He declares, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). This statement suggests that recognizing one's spiritual poverty and dependence on God is a pathway to receiving His kingdom.

Spiritual Meagerness

Spiritual meagerness can refer to a lack of fervor or depth in one's relationship with God. The Bible warns against spiritual complacency and encourages believers to seek a vibrant and growing faith. In the book of Revelation, the church in Laodicea is rebuked for being lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, which can be seen as a form of spiritual meagerness (Revelation 3:15-16). The call to repentance and renewal is a reminder that spiritual vitality is essential for a faithful Christian life.

Moral Meagerness

Moral meagerness, or a deficiency in ethical behavior, is addressed throughout Scripture. The prophets often condemned the Israelites for their moral failings, calling them to return to God's standards of righteousness and justice. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul exhorts believers to live lives worthy of their calling, characterized by integrity and holiness (Ephesians 4:1). The pursuit of moral excellence is presented as a response to God's grace and a reflection of His character.

Responses to Meagerness

The Bible offers guidance on how to respond to various forms of meagerness. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's provision and to be content in all circumstances. The Apostle Paul, writing from prison, declares, "I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances" (Philippians 4:11). This contentment is rooted in a deep trust in God's sovereignty and goodness.

Furthermore, the Bible calls believers to generosity and compassion, urging them to share their resources with those in need. The early church exemplified this by holding all things in common and distributing to anyone as they had need (Acts 2:44-45). This communal care reflects the heart of God and His desire for His people to support one another.

In summary, the concept of meagerness in the Bible encompasses material, spiritual, and moral dimensions. Scripture provides both warnings and encouragements, urging believers to trust in God's provision, pursue spiritual vitality, and live with integrity and generosity.1. (a.) Deficient in quantity or extent; scanty; as, meager provisions.

Foreword
... and prayed. They will be a valuable addition to the meager sermon literature
on the Epistle texts in the English language. English ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol iii/foreword.htm

Elegance and Grace
... combatant. Thus the true species is never without its utility, as even a meager
judgment easily may discern. DEVELOPING VARIETY OF STYLE. ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/elegance and grace.htm

The Boy and the Sunday School
... hour and a half's duration at best, fifty-two or seventy-eight hours a year, only
one-third of which is given to Bible study, furnish a meager opportunity to ...
/.../alexander/the boy and the sunday school/v the boy and the.htm

Through-The-Week Activities for Boys' Organized Classes
... class. The school period of one hour or an hour and a half has been found
by most teachers to be too meager for a healthy class life. ...
/.../the boy and the sunday school/x through-the-week activities for boys.htm

Chapter fifteen
... false. It was true that the victory was won by a very meager majority. But
the result was the same as if it had been overwhelming. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter fifteen.htm

Chapter twenty-nine
... Suppose a man's wife or children were ill. How would he move or get into the country?
How could he pay even the meager sum necessary to move his few goods? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter twenty-nine.htm

May one Lose the Blessing?
... Psalm 1:2), not "letting the Word of Christ dwell in you richly." You cannot live
a Spirit-filled life, and be content with a shallow, meager acquaintance with ...
/.../macneil/the spirit-filled life/chapter xviii may one lose.htm

Introduction
... commanding personality and influence. Yet, strange to say, our sources for
the life of Polycarp are extremely meager. His own extant ...
//christianbookshelf.org/richardson/early christian fathers/introduction 3.htm

H. The Widow's Mites. Ch. 21:1-4
... In the eyes of the world the service of the poor widow was meager and worthless,
while the gifts of the hypocrites were costly and great; in the eyes of the ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/h the widows mites ch.htm

Preface of the Author.
... AJ Gordon, "Dispensation of the Spirit.". This meager bibliography shows what scant
systematic treatment is accorded to the Person of the Holy Spirit. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/preface of the author.htm

Meager (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Deficient in quantity or extent; scanty; as, meager
provisions. Multi-Version Concordance Meager (1 Occurrence). ...
/m/meager.htm - 6k

History (57 Occurrences)
... of affairs in connection with a considerable number of matters reported by the Biblical
chroniclers, which supplement the exceedingly meager extracts furnished ...
/h/history.htm - 67k

Linus (1 Occurrence)
... his in 2 Timothy 4:21. "These meager statements have been enlarged upon by
English investigators. The Claudia mentioned here is, they ...
/l/linus.htm - 9k

Lean (22 Occurrences)
... rest. 6. (vi) Wanting flesh; destitute of or deficient in fat; not plump;
meager; thin; lank; as, a lean body; a lean cattle. 7. (vi ...
/l/lean.htm - 14k

Gaunt (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Attenuated, as with fasting or suffering; lean; meager;
pinched and grim. Multi-Version Concordance Gaunt (7 Occurrences). ...
/g/gaunt.htm - 8k

Meah (1 Occurrence)

/m/meah.htm - 7k

Meadows (6 Occurrences)

/m/meadows.htm - 8k

Pattern (28 Occurrences)
... inside and out. With these meager instructions the builder starts. The details
are worked out as the building proceeds. When a piece ...
/p/pattern.htm - 19k

Pittance (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) A meager portion, quantity, or allowance; an inconsiderable salary or
compensation. Multi-Version Concordance Pittance (1 Occurrence). ...
/p/pittance.htm - 6k

Poor (276 Occurrences)
... expected. 4. (superl.) Wanting in fat, plumpness, or fleshiness; lean; emaciated;
meager; as, a poor horse, ox, dog, etc. 5. (superl ...
/p/poor.htm - 60k

What are the causes and solutions for a hardened heart? | GotQuestions.org

Who are the super-apostles Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 11:5? | GotQuestions.org

Meager: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus