Proverbs 11:25 says: “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.”
The “liberal soul” literally means “the blessing soul.” It speaks of a generous person who loves to constantly bless others, speak good things over their lives, and prays blessing benedictions over them. This is a soul who thinks of others rather than themselves. They want to build up others rather than pull them down.
This attitude begins in our family life. Daily blessing our husbands Daily blessing our children. And then we’ll be in the habit of blessing everyone else who comes into our lives.
The word “watereth” means “to satisfy the thirst, to satiate, to soak and water abundantly.” This speaks of more than giving water to someone. So many people are hungry and thirsty for more than physical water. They need water for their souls. Their souls are starving for encouragement, affirmation, and building up.
What kind of person am I? Stingy or generous? Am I too busy thinking of myself to be concerned about building up others? Am I so filled with self-pity and thoughts about myself that I don’t have time to minister to others?
I remember an incident in my life years ago when I was a young mother. I was walking over the doorstep of my home when I heard the Lord speak loudly to my soul: “Nancy how can I reveal to you the needs of others if you are always thinking about yourself?” Those words arrested me. If I am to water others, I must give room in my heart for others.
If we are preoccupied with thoughts about ourselves, we’ll never have room for God to speak to us about others who are in need. He can’t even get through our selfishness.
The wonderful thing is that when we water others God promises that we will be watered back. It is an eternal principle.
The TPT states: “Those who live to bless others will have blessings heaped upon them, and the one who pours out his life to pour out blessings will be saturated with favor.”
The NLT says: “The generous will prosper, those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”
It’s the same principle in the New Testament where Jesus said: “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it” (Mark 8:35). We don’t find our lives by trying to save them. We find our lives by losing them in pouring them out for others, starting with our family.
Be blessed today,
Nancy Campbell