Galilee Christians... The X Factor Devotional - Day Thirty Three - February 24, 2010

“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
Proverbs 11:25

There are two seas in the Holy Land.  The northern sea, called the Sea of Galilee, is one of the land’s most beautiful features.  Fed by the Jordan River, it waters fertile valleys and helps produce a bounty of fruits and vegetables.  Fishermen still search its depths, for food and profit.

This is the sea Jesus loved.  He knew its waters, in stillness and in storm.  On its banks, He taught many parables, spent many nights, and worked His miracles of love and compassion.

The southern sea, further down the Jordan River, is totally different from Galilee.  Its air is filled with the stench of debris and filth.  No man or beast will drink from its bitter waters.  No children play along its polluted shores, for this is a lifeless sea.  Its very name reveals its nature:  The Dead Sea.

Both seas are fed by the same river.  But why the stark difference?  It’s because the Dead Sea has an inlet to receive the fresh waters, but no outlet to send them on.  The fresh waters pour in... only to stagnate and decay.

Do you know people like this?  People who are greedy and selfish, thinking only of getting more and more for themselves?  They are like the man in the parable who sought to build bigger barns to protect his increase, never realizing the true nature of his riches (Read Luke 12:16-21).

Our challenge, and our commitment, is to be “Galilee Christians” — giving out as freely and readily as we take in.  For only by living in this way will we be as healthy and joyous as God desires us to be.  As Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”

As we give freely and generously to expand the ministry of our church, we are living out this lesson of Scripture.  We are discovering the joy of the Galilee principle—not to mention the clear Biblical directive to be generous givers, let alone tithers.

Prayer Focus:  Have you thought of yourself as a Galilee Christian?  Or would you describe yourself as more of a “Dead Sea” Christian?  What challenge do you sense God is putting on your heart?  How will you obey that and express that in the form of a commitment?  Is it time to share that burden of what God is placing on your heart?