Overflow

INTRO

Let me tell on myself for a second.

I was in the drive-thru line at Chick-fil-A (God’s fast food), and I felt this little nudge. You know the one—“Pay for the car behind you.”

I looked in my wallet. I had a crisp $5 bill and a couple of loose quarters.

Immediately I thought, “Well, what if they’re ordering for the whole football team?”

So I sat there… debating generosity with God. Over $5.

(Like the Creator of the universe needed me to calculate the risk.)

Why is it so hard sometimes to give… especially when we don’t feel like we have enough?

But Proverbs 11:25 flips the whole mindset:

Proverbs 11:25 NLT

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

Generosity isn’t a drain—it’s a doorway.

This verse isn’t just about money—it’s about living in the Overflow.

MAIN POINT

Generosity is the gateway to God’s refreshment.

1. GENEROSITY BEGINS IN THE HEART, NOT THE WALLET.

A. TRUE GENEROSITY ISN’T ABOUT HAVING MORE, IT’S ABOUT BEING WILLING WITH WHAT YOU HAVE.

YOU CAN BE BROKE AND STILL BE GENEROUS AND YOU CAN BE WEALTHY AND STILL BE STINGY.

GOD’S NOT LOOKING AT YOUR BANK ACCOUNT—HE’S LOOKING AT YOUR WILLINGNESS.

Luke 21:1–4 NLT

While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

B. PROSPERITY IN GOD’S KINGDOM ISN’T ABOUT POSSESSIONS—IT’S ABOUT PURPOSE.

GOD BLESSES PEOPLE ON PURPOSE SO THEY CAN LIVE WITH PURPOSE.

THE GOAL ISN’T TO STORE IT UP, BUT TO SEND IT OUT.

WEALTH WITHOUT PURPOSE WILL LEAVE YOU FEELING EMPTY.

Proverbs 11:24 NLT

Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.

C. GENEROSITY ISN’T ABOUT QUANTITY—IT’S ABOUT TRUST.

GOD DOESN’T ASK FOR WHAT YOU DON’T HAVE—HE ASKS FOR WHAT YOU’RE WILLING TO RELEASE.

IT’S NOT THE SIZE OF THE GIFT; IT’S THE FAITH BEHIND IT.

WHEN YOU GIVE WHAT’S IN YOUR HAND, GOD RELEASES WHAT’S IN HIS.

2 Corinthians 9:6–8 NLT

Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

ILLUSTRATION:

YOU EVER TRY TO TURN A CUP UPSIDE DOWN THAT’S ALREADY FULL? YOU’VE GOT TO EMPTY IT BEFORE IT CAN BE REFILLED. SOME OF US ARE ASKING GOD TO POUR OUT MORE—BUT HE’S WAITING FOR US TO POUR OUT FIRST.

2. REFRESHING OTHERS RELEASES SOMETHING IN YOU.

A. THERE’S A BLESSING IN THE POURING, NOT JUST THE RECEIVING.

WE WERE DESIGNED TO BE A VESSEL, NOT A VAULT.

YOU MIGHT FEEL SPIRITUALLY DRY BECAUSE YOU’RE SPIRITUALLY CLOGGED.

JOY GROWS WHEN IT FLOWS.

Acts 20:35 NLT

And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

B. WHEN YOU GIVE AWAY ENCOURAGEMENT, JOY, HELP, RESOURCES—YOU’RE ECHOING THE CHARACTER OF GOD.

GOD IS THE ORIGINAL GIVER.

YOU NEVER LOOK MORE LIKE JESUS THAN WHEN YOU’RE SERVING AND SACRIFICING.

GIVING MAKES YOU A MIRROR OF GOD’S HEART TO SOMEONE ELSE.

John 3:16 NLT

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

C. BLESSING IS LIKE BREATH—YOU ONLY KEEP LIVING IF YOU EXHALE WHAT YOU’VE INHALED.

SOME OF US ARE SPIRITUALLY SHORT OF BREATH—BECAUSE WE’RE ONLY INHALING.

YOU CAN’T HOLD ON TO EVERYTHING GOD GIVES AND EXPECT TO STAY FRESH.

IF IT NEVER LEAVES YOUR HANDS, IT NEVER TOUCHES SOMEONE ELSE.

3. STINGINESS SHUTS DOWN SPIRITUAL FLOW.

A. GOD CAN’T OVERFLOW WHAT YOU’RE TRYING TO KEEP CAPPED.

A CLOSED HAND CAN’T RECEIVE ANYTHING NEW.

SOME OF US ARE PRAYING FOR MORE WHILE HOLDING ONTO WHAT WE WERE MEANT TO RELEASE.

YOU’RE BLOCKING YOUR OWN BLESSING BY BOTTLING UP WHAT GOD TOLD YOU TO POUR OUT.

Proverbs 28:27 NLT

Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.

B. YOU WEREN’T DESIGNED TO BE A RESERVOIR—YOU WERE DESIGNED TO BE A RIVER.

RESERVOIRS COLLECT. RIVERS MOVE.

A RESERVOIR FILLS UP AND STAYS STILL. A RIVER FLOWS, AND THINGS GROW ALONG THE BANKS.

IF YOUR FAITH FEELS STAGNANT, IT MIGHT BE BECAUSE IT’S NOT FLOWING ANYWHERE.

Isaiah 58:10–11 NLT

Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.

C. GOD DOESN’T REFRESH RESERVOIRS—HE REFRESHES RIVERS.

YOU’RE PRAYING FOR OVERFLOW, BUT GOD IS WAITING FOR THE OUTFLOW.

THE MIRACLE DOESN’T HIT THE PLAN—IT HITS THE MOTION.

WHAT YOU GIVE AWAY, GOD REFILLS IN WAYS YOU NEVER IMAGINED.

4. OVERFLOW IS A WAY OF LIFE, NOT A MOMENT.

A. GENEROSITY ISN’T SOMETHING YOU DO, IT’S WHO YOU BECOME.

THIS ISN’T A SPECIAL OCCASION, IT’S A SPIRITUAL IDENTITY.

WHEN GENEROSITY BECOMES YOUR POSTURE, PROVISION BECOMES YOUR PATTERN.

IT SHOWS UP IN HOW YOU TALK, HOW YOU SERVE, HOW YOU SHOW UP.

Romans 12:13 NLT

When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

B. OVERFLOW ISN’T ABOUT HAVING EXTRA, IT’S ABOUT LIVING WITH PURPOSE.

GOD GIVES SEED TO SOWERS, NOT HOARDERS.

YOU’RE LITTLE IN GOD’S HANDS BECOMES MORE THAN ENOUGH.

YOU DON’T NEED MORE STUFF, YOU NEED MORE FLOW.

2 Corinthians 9:10 NLT

For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

C. YOUR OBEDIENCE TO GIVE MAY BE SOMEONE ELSE’S ANSWER TO PRAYER.

WHAT YOU THINK IS SMALL MAY BE SOMEONE ELSE’S CONFIRMATION THAT GOD SEES THEM.

YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT’S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF YOUR YES!

EVERY TIME YOU SAY YES TO GENEROSITY, HEAVEN MOVES THROUGH YOU.

Galatians 6:9–10 NLT

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

CALL TO ACTION

WHAT’S ONE WAY YOU CAN LIVE IN OVERFLOW THIS WEEK?

WITH YOUR TIME — CAN YOU SERVE, MENTOR, OR HELP SOMEONE IN NEED?

WITH YOUR WORDS — WHO NEED TO HEAR YOU SAY “I SEE YOU,” “I FORGIVE YOU,” OR “I BELIEVE IN YOU”?

WITH YOUR RESOURCES — WHERE CAN YOU GIVE, EVEN IF IT STRETCHES YOU A LITTLE?

YOU DON’T HAVE TO GIVE A GALLON. SOMETIMES, YOU JUST NEED TO POUR ONE CUP.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

CHALLENGE: PERSONAL CHALLENGE

CONCLUSION/CLOSE

Remember that $5 I almost didn’t give at Chick-fil-A?

It wasn’t about the money—it was about the moment.

It was about God loosening my grip so He could refresh my soul.

Proverbs 11:25 NLT

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

You don’t need to be rich.

You don’t need to have it all figured out.

YOU JUST NEED TO TRUST GOD WITH WHAT YOU HAVE AND LET IT FLOW.

YOU WEREN’T MEANT TO LIVE EMPTY, YOU WERE MEANT TO OVERFLOW.

You were meant to overflow.