Rivers, Not Reservoirs
Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
God never designed you to be a reservoir. A reservoir holds water, guards it, protects it, and keeps it confined. A river, on the other hand, moves. A river carries life from one place to another. A river flows freely, and because it flows freely, it stays fresh. This is the picture God uses when He calls us to generosity. We weren’t created to hoard blessings, consume everything we receive, or cling to every dollar in fear. We were created to be rivers, people through whom God can move resources, compassion, and blessing.
The danger of becoming a reservoir is stagnation. Water that sits too long becomes stale, murky, and eventually toxic. The same happens spiritually when we hold onto everything God gives us. We become fearful instead of faith-filled. We become self-protective instead of others-focused. Joy leaks, gratitude fades, and blessings start to feel like burdens. But when we live open-handed, when we give, when we sow, when we serve, something supernatural happens. The flow starts. And with flow comes freshness. With flow comes life. With flow comes joy.
Paul said in 2 Corinthians 9 that we are “enriched in every way so that we can be generous on every occasion.” That means God blesses us so we can keep blessing others. The blessing was never meant to stop with us. God trusts people who don’t stop the flow. When your hand stays open, God keeps placing things in it. Not so you can build your own reservoir, but so you can be a river that refreshes others. And the best part? The promise in Proverbs is clear: as you refresh others… you will be refreshed.
Today, ask the Holy Spirit to help you see where you’ve been a reservoir instead of a river. Where has fear clogged the flow? Where has comfort closed your hands? Invite God to awaken generosity in you again. Rivers don’t force themselves to flow, they simply yield to the One who directs their course.
Prayer:
Father, make me a river today. Remove every fear, every hesitation, and every place where I’ve held onto what was meant to flow through me. Refresh me as I refresh others. Let generosity move freely through my life so people see Your heart in my actions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
God never designed you to be a reservoir. A reservoir holds water, guards it, protects it, and keeps it confined. A river, on the other hand, moves. A river carries life from one place to another. A river flows freely, and because it flows freely, it stays fresh. This is the picture God uses when He calls us to generosity. We weren’t created to hoard blessings, consume everything we receive, or cling to every dollar in fear. We were created to be rivers, people through whom God can move resources, compassion, and blessing.
The danger of becoming a reservoir is stagnation. Water that sits too long becomes stale, murky, and eventually toxic. The same happens spiritually when we hold onto everything God gives us. We become fearful instead of faith-filled. We become self-protective instead of others-focused. Joy leaks, gratitude fades, and blessings start to feel like burdens. But when we live open-handed, when we give, when we sow, when we serve, something supernatural happens. The flow starts. And with flow comes freshness. With flow comes life. With flow comes joy.
Paul said in 2 Corinthians 9 that we are “enriched in every way so that we can be generous on every occasion.” That means God blesses us so we can keep blessing others. The blessing was never meant to stop with us. God trusts people who don’t stop the flow. When your hand stays open, God keeps placing things in it. Not so you can build your own reservoir, but so you can be a river that refreshes others. And the best part? The promise in Proverbs is clear: as you refresh others… you will be refreshed.
Today, ask the Holy Spirit to help you see where you’ve been a reservoir instead of a river. Where has fear clogged the flow? Where has comfort closed your hands? Invite God to awaken generosity in you again. Rivers don’t force themselves to flow, they simply yield to the One who directs their course.
Prayer:
Father, make me a river today. Remove every fear, every hesitation, and every place where I’ve held onto what was meant to flow through me. Refresh me as I refresh others. Let generosity move freely through my life so people see Your heart in my actions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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