Using It All For Overflow

Joshua 15:13-17 - In accordance with the LORD's command to him, Joshua gave to Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion in Judah-Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron. From Hebron Caleb drove out the three Anakites-Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai-descendants of Anak. From there he marched against the people living in Debir (formerly called Kiriath Sepher). And Caleb said, "I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher." Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's brother, took it; so Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage.

Joshua 17:14-15 - The people of Joseph said to Joshua, "Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people and the LORD has blessed us abundantly.” “If you are so numerous," Joshua answered, "and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites."

Caleb was really something! You gotta love him! God granted him a special inheritance, a portion of the land in Judah - - a portion that was filled with bad guys. It wasn't a huge portion of land, but it was the land God had given him. So he took what God gave him and did his best with it.

The descendants of Joseph however, were just the opposite. They were given some of the richest land, and yet it wasn't good enough for them. So they demanded more. When God gave them more, that still wasn't good enough, and they continued to complain that there wasn't room enough for them in the land, especially with all those other people already living there! Never mind that God had told them to drive out the inhabitants of the land. They ignored what God had told them to do and complained bitterly about it instead. What a difference from Caleb, who took what God had given to him and did his best with it!

How about you and me? Are we faithful to do that? Are we like Caleb or like the sons of Joseph?

Let’s say that God has given you a talent for working with your hands… for building things. However, you always wished you could be a great teacher… but you aren't. Time after time, projects arise at church that would benefit greatly from your skill with a hammer and saw, but you decide not to participate. You want to teach, and that's it.

Maybe you long to go on mission with God to some distant land. You pray constently for God to open a door and send you away but the doors over-seas never open. All the while you miss seeing the mission field that sits right next door and down the street from your house. You forget about the spiritual needs of people close by and avoid even knowing your neighbor’s first name.

Or let’s say that your only real dream in life was to have a happy family, with 2.5 children, a seven passenger SUV, a two-story house on a hill wiith a white picket fence, a cat and a dog. What you ended up with was a divorce, four children, a beat-up old car, a two bedroom apartment, and a dead dog. BUT - - - in the process of all of that, you also found Jesus and asked Him into your life!! Great news!! BUT - - Along the way, you somehow got the idea that when you became a Christian, this major mess you call your life would suddenly be transformed into something else – that your dream would become a reality. But it just doesn't happen. And you're so busy being angry with God, demanding that He give you more, that you overlook all the many things you could be doing for Him with what He has given you.

Can you see a different way to handle each of the situations above - - - God’s way to handle them?

God gives each of us situations, circumstances, talents - all our very own and all specially given to us by Him, for His purpose. We should follow Caleb's example and do our very best with what God has given us - - - using it all for His glory - - using it all for overflow.

Father, forgive me when I fail to see the abundance of blessings that you have poured out on me. Help me today to take my eyes off of myself and my circumstances and focus all of my attention on You and on Your perfect plan for my life. Guide me to use all that you have given me to bring glory to Your name!

Blessed to Over-flow, Jeff Doss