Psalm 23:5 continues “My cup runs over.” When a cup runs over it has been filled to the brim, and receiving more than it needs, or can hold, the excess flows over the side and covers the area around it. As we sit at God’s banquet table it is His plan, desire, and provision for us to receive all that we need with such abundance that those around us will be blessed with the overflow! In Nehemiah 8:9-10 the leaders pointed out to the people that it was a day for rejoicing and they should eat and drink, but not to selfishly hoard (it’s not just for you), rather to “send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared” (an overflow)! In John 4:14 Jesus explains it as “a fountain of water springing up (within you) into everlasting life” then in 7:37-38 it becomes “rivers of living water” flowing out from within the heart (the overflow). The blessings of the Lord are not given just to hoard up for our own “bless me” club, but are also to share with others and glorify Him! Just like the woman who met Jesus at the well in John 4, in the words of the old hymn, “went away singing, came back bringing, others for the water that was not in the well”. As Jesus said to the disciples in sending them out in ministry, I believe He says to every one of us, “Freely you have received, freely give.” The apostle Paul told the Corinthians that what he “received from the Lord” he delivered to them 1 Corinthians 11:23. Peter gives us another example of this in Acts 3:6, speaking to the lame man at the temple gate he said, “…what I do have I give you…” It should be the purpose of every believer not only to eat at God’s banquet table, but to have the overflow! This may look different for each of us because our talents, abilities, and callings are different, but we are to use what He places in our hand (see Ecclesiastes 9:10).
God’s table
By Rose Hill
God has abundant blessings prepared,
For those who sit at His table.
It is more than we need for ourselves,
So to bless others we are able
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright …1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.