What It Means To Pour Out Our Blessings

Honor God With His Blessings

Today I will honor God by returning His blessings. This means I will be grateful, I will use the blessings in ways that honor God, I will not hoard them for my own pleasure and benefit but use them to bless others. For God is the great giver and, though I am but the poor receiver, I will rise above myself with this act of thanksgiving.

2 Samuel 23:16 
So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, and drew water from the well of Bethlehem by the gate, and carried and brought it to David. But he would not drink it, but poured it out in worship to the Lord.
Amplified Bible

Today I will pour out my blessings upon God’s altar.

How David Honored God: A Lesson In Worship

This is a story about bravery, loyalty, and honoring God above satisfying personal desire.

At this time, Israel was warring against the Philistines who were encamped around Bethlehem. David was extremely thirsty and said, “If only someone would bring me water to drink from the well at the city gate of Bethlehem!” So three of the warriors broke through the Philistine camp and drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem. They brought it back to David, but he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out to the Lord.  David said, “Lord, I would never do such a thing! Is this not the blood of men who risked their lives?” So he refused to drink it.
(2 Samuel 23:15-17)

The three warriors risked their lives for David and the kingdom of Israel. But there was something greater that commanded David’s response.

“When David chooses to pour the water out instead of drinking it, he sends a message that speaks volumes about honor and gratitude. Rather than consuming the fruits of their bravery for his own pleasure, he attributed it to God, recognizing the ultimate sacrifice of his men.” (https://christianitypath.com/2-samuel-23-16/)

Oswald Chambers adds this insight. (My Utmost For His Highest, September 3)

“If you try to satisfy yourself with a blessing from God, it will corrupt you. You must sacrifice it, pouring it out to God— something that your common sense says is an absurd waste.

“As soon as I realize that something is too wonderful for me, that I am not worthy to receive it, and that it is not meant for a human being at all, I must pour it out “to the Lord.”

“If you have become bitter and sour, it is because when God gave you a blessing you hoarded it. Yet if you had poured it out to Him, you would have been the sweetest person on earth.”

And, finally, this word on discipleship: “If you are always keeping blessings to yourself and never learning to pour out anything ‘to the Lord,’ other people will never have their vision of God expanded through you.”

What have you been blessed with? Have you poured it out to God?