OVERFLOW

I can recall my children waking up in the morning to pour a tall glass of chilled milk without asking for help from their fearless dad, to witness what all of us have experienced at least once in our life - the milk overflowing - over the edge of the glass, over the counter into the floor!  Yes yes, we all can remember and laugh - maybe not when it happened, right?!

This example of flowing over the edge is a great picture of generosity from God.  God is simply amazing!  He pours out His love on His people - showers us with so many blessings that are unexplainable, to the point that our lives OVERFLOW with worship, service, caring and more!  It is truly hard to contain, just like our kids when they get excited and pour that tall glass of milk - right!

Take a minute to read this passage from Paul as he articulates for us this idea of OVERFLOW from 2 Corinthians 9:6-15:

Generosity Encouraged

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”[a]

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

We can see that God has provided us with so much - He is the giver of life and has supplied us with everything we need.  For this reason, we RESPOND in worship to love, serve and care for others.  Can you see the challenge Paul is placing before us today?  Look at verse 7, "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."  GIVE freely to the Lord your life - all of you without any hesitation.  Once you do this, be ready for the overflow of worship to happen in your life!

This weekend at our church, we have The Gift Weekend - and it is this verse that is leading our congregation.  It is the foundation for why we serve and worship on this day! Might you join me and thank God for what He has given us all and the opportunity we have to respond from the OVERFLOW of our hearts to the Lord and serve others?