Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 318 – Proverbs 11:24-25 – Refreshes Others Will Himself Be Refreshed – Growing As Disciples
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)
Refreshed
Is that what you would like to be? Is what would I like to be? Would you like to be refreshed? Yes of course, I would like to be refreshed. How can I be refreshed? I want you to take note of something from nature. What’s that? Have you ever noticed a lake that is completely dead, with no life in it? Yes, I have noticed a dead lake before. What have you noticed about a dead lake? It has no outlet. Water flows into it but water does not flow out of it. There is no outlet. Yes, there is no outlet. Having no outlet is not healthy. Are we still talking about lakes? You are astute this morning. No, we are no longer talking lakes. We are talking about you. If you have no outlet, you will not live a healthy life.
Think of your life in this way. I have richly blessed your life. There is no doubt about that. What I have given to you is meant to be shared. What I have given to you must not be held tightly and greedily for yourself. You must not be like a dead lake that receives but has no outlet. My life and blessings are meant to flow in and out of your life. I intend to use you to refresh the lives of others. As you refresh the lives of others you will also be refreshed. If you do not refresh the lives of others, you will become dry and stagnant. You will not live the life that I intend for you to live. You will live a life of poverty. Oh, you may look wealthy to others. You may look like your life is overflowing with an abundance of wealth. But you, in reality, will have poverty in you, that a world full of money cannot solve. You will live like a spiritual pauper in your soul. You will not be storing up real treasure in heaven with me. You will not be accomplishing my purposes or fulfilling my plans. You will not be a tool in my hands. Do you understand? Yes, I understand. I will freely give what you have given to me. I will refresh the lives of others as you refresh me. I will be generous and give to others what you have given to me. I will allow you to use me to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. I will store up real treasure in heaven with you. That will be very good. Thank you, Lord.
Lord, help me refresh others with refreshment that comes from you. Give me a place. Secure me a ministry. Use me in your service. Work in and through me for your purposes. Help me whet the appetites of others for you. Refresh me also as I refresh others. Amen
Key Question… When have you been refreshed as you refreshed the life of someone else?
Living It Out… Find a way to refresh others regularly and continually, so you can also be refreshed.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will use you to refresh others as He also refreshes you.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have been refreshed as you refreshed others.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you refresh others so you yourself will be refreshed.
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