“The Lord is my Shepherd . . my cup overflows with blessings.” Psalm 23:5 NLT
“Overflowing is the key to sharing; sharing is the key to overflowing even more!”
My thoughts today are about “overflowing fullness.”
How much is enough? That really depends, doesn’t it? That’s not an easy question to answer, actually. There are times in life when you will seem to have less than enough, and yet you will find God faithful and still manage to make do and get by. As a boy, I learned that from my Mom. Our family was of modest means, but never without. My Mom could do more with less than most people could do with more. I hope it’s a family trait.
More of the time you will have enough, not a lot to spare but nothing that you lack. Maybe those are the reasons that you will really enjoy the wonderful occasions when God gives you more than you earned and beyond what you need – a little extra to put away for the future, and a little bit to share. That sharing part is where you will find your greatest joy. Life at its best is not about what you get; it’s not about what you have; life in its fullness is about what you give.
If you never grow to that point, you will never have enough to enjoy, however much you have. Here’s what a wise King Solomon learned: “One man gives freely yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:24-25 NIV. What is in your overflowing cup? Indescribable joy! 1 Peter 1:18. Incredible peace! Philippians 4:7. Abounding grace! Romans 5:20 NKJV. Exceeding power! Ephesians 1:19-21/3:20. Abundant and eternal life! John 10:10. Overflowing with more than enough of everything!
The best lessons you will ever learn are the lessons that Jesus taught. Among them is the principle of giving and receiving. I think this principle is a life cycle that begins with receiving, but never ends as long as you perpetuate the cycle with your continuing liberality. Remember the cup that David describes as “overflowing with blessing?” If that overflow is not shared with intentionality and purpose, it becomes little more than extravagant and wasteful spillage, not doing you or anyone else any measurable good!
The blessings of God are for more than self-enrichment; you are equipped and entrusted with the means to supply what comes from God Who is the Source. The Bible says, “Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above . . He never changes or casts shifting shadows.” James 1:17 NLT.
Let’s be practical; you can’t give something that you don’t have. You have nothing to give except what you are given. Out of what you receive from God, usually through others, you are provided the means to share as God’s supply to others, as He directs. You plant in another’s life as someone planted into yours, and God honors such gifts with added increase.
Jesus promised, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38 NIV. Generosity continues a cycle of multiplication and harvest in your life, while beginning a cycle of blessing and giving in other lives.
My prayer for you is to have more than enough, and share that generously with others.