You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows.

                                                                                                               Psalm 23:5 

As David reflects on the provision of God in his life, he knew just how much God had blessed him. Although David was far from perfect, he was still able to declare, “My cup overflows.” Scripture leaves little room for us to wonder about the provision and nature of God. Here are five spiritual realities that every Christian can and should claim over his/her life: 

1. Our Cup Overflows As We Sow Into The Kingdom 

Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed… 

                                                                                                         2 Corinthians 9:6-8 

God gives us gifts, talents, and resources for the purpose of sharing them with others and advancing His kingdom. In this passage, Paul reminds us of the sowing and reaping principle. Our spiritual harvest is bound to the amount in which we sow into spiritual things. For example, if we are to live in victory and fight against the enemy’s attempts at derailing our efforts in our spiritual growth, we must spend time with God in prayer, worship, and the study of His Word. If we neglect these opportunities to “sow”, we should not be surprised if our harvest is limited and ineffective. Growth in our walk with Christ demands our time and attention. Paul tells us that if we sow bountifully then we will also reap bountifully.

But he doesn’t stop there. God’s grace (unmerited favor) is able to abound toward us. This abundance of God’s grace gives us “all sufficiency in everything.” This means that God will cause our cups to overflow in order that we would have everything necessary for a healthy, happy, and effective spiritual life. But this Divine prosperity and favor only comes as we sow into our spiritual lives, making that priority one. 

2. Our Cup Overflows As We Pursue God-Sized Outcomes 

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

                                                                                                       Ephesians 3:20-21 

Do we believe that God will do beyond what we could ever imagine or ask Him to accomplish in our lives? That is exactly what Paul is declaring in this passage. God is able to do exceedingly more than we could ever imagine. Stop and let that sink in for a moment. Living in this fallen world, we are often conditioned to disbelieve that the best can happen. We observe so much tragedy and disappointment that we can begin to focus on the ordinary rather than believe in the extraordinary. But the truth of scripture paints a very different picture. “All things are possible for those who believe” (Mark 9:23). I believe that this is a truth upon which we should pitch our spiritual tents and live for a time.

As we begin to understand the limitlessness of God, we start to realize our untapped potential in Him. Paul tells us that this ability to do “far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” is according to the power that is at work within us. Did you get that? God often does His work through people. Not perfect people rather those who simply say, “yes!” As we “put ourselves out there” for the sake of the kingdom believing that God will do amazing things through the power of the Spirit within us, we begin to see this reality working itself out in our lives. God will cause our cups to overflow, but we must believe! 

3. Our Cup Overflows As We Honor God With Our Wealth 

Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.

                                                                                                               Proverbs 3:9-10 

This proverb presents us with another biblical principle, that of honoring God with our wealth. So how do we accomplish that? We begin by understanding that everything in which we have been given comes from God and belongs to Him. Secondly, we prioritize our gifts, our time, and our resources for the purpose of expanding the kingdom of God. After all, the only thing that will ultimately be counted as having worth in the end will be the time spent on eternal things. Lastly, we purpose in our hearts what we are going to give and then we stay committed to that plan (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Again, scripture informs us of the outcome for those who faithfully follow this principle. “Our barns will be filled with plenty” and “our vats will overflow with new wine.” These are agrarian word pictures indicating that we will enjoy abundance from God. I believe that this proverb can be applied to material and spiritual things. As we honor God with our wealth, in return, He causes our cups to overflow. 

4. Our Cup Overflows As We Live In The Power Of The Spirit 

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

                                                                                                            Romans 15:13 

In this passage we see another illustration of abounding or abundance. Paul explains that God will “fill us with joy and peace in believing.” The outcome of this Divine filling of joy and peace will yield a harvest of hope. Notice that the hope will abound in us. The word being used here can be defined as “exceeding a fixed amount” or in other words “overflowing.”

As I read scripture, I am struck with the realization that almost every (if not all) reference dealing with God’s provision describes it in terms of abundance, acting exceedingly beyond, or overflowing in some capacity. In other words, God is not stingy in His giving. He enjoys blessing those who trust in Him and His provision always exceeds our expectations.

Compare this passage with that of Ephesians 3:20. Both indicate that this Divine provision comes as a result of the power of the Holy Spirit within us. That should encourage all of us as believers. The Spirit is the means by which this spiritual provision is lavished on us. God causes our spiritual cups to overflow as He fills us with joy, peace, and hope. And when we are experiencing these things in abundance, there is tremendous power! 

5. Our Cup Overflows As We Call On God 

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him… 

                                                                                                            Romans 10:12 

Finally, we see the an overflowing of God’s provision is for “all who call on Him.” Under the new covenant, there is no distinction between Jews or Greeks (the rest of the world). “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13) and everyone who calls on Him has access to an abundance of spiritual riches (compare with Matthew 7:7-8). God causes our cups to overflow as he richly supplies us as we call on His name! 

As I reflect on my life, I too can agree with David that my cup surely does overflow. What about you? Are you living a life of abundance and provision? Does your life overflow with the joy, peace, and love of God?

As we live in the power of the Spirit, using our gifts and talents for the kingdom, calling on God to do far more than we can ever imagine, and honoring Him with our wealth, we too can proclaim with David that “our cup overflows.”