THE GENEROUS AND REFRESHING LIFE OF THE OPEN HAND
God’s Word promises that the one who is generous will be made rich. The promise is further illustrated by the phrase, “he who waters will also be watered himself.” Perhaps Solomon was sitting near the Jordan River when he wrote this proverb. As the snow melted from atop Mount Hermon, he would’ve seen Jordan’s waters swell, filling the Sea of Galilee and finally flowing into the Dead Sea.
The Sea of Galilee is filled with life as the water flows in from the North and out from the South. But the Dead Sea only has water flowing into it. It has no outlet. As a result it forms one of the world’s saltiest bodies of water, ten times as salty as the ocean. Its harsh environment makes it nearly impossible for plants and animals to flourish, thus its name, the Dead Sea. Both seas need water to flow into them in order to exist, yet only the one with an outlet where the water flows out, provides an environment where life may prosper.
If we want to experience the abundant life, we must learn from this proverb. Extend one hand open to God to receive His blessings, recognizing that all that we have comes from Him. And extend one hand open to others, so that we share God’s blessings with others. If we close our fists to God, we shut ourselves off from His blessing. If we open our hands to God, yet close them towards others, we become like the Dead Sea.
If we want to live the generous and refreshing life, we must live the life of the open hand–– one hand open to God and one hand open to others. In this way, we become like a river of God’s blessings. Our needs are met and so are the needs of others as God’s grace flows to us and through us.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we want to live the life of the open hand, one hand open to You, thankfully receiving, and one hand open to others, generously sharing. Make us flow like a river with Your blessings, O Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.