Bernard of Clairvaux, a 12th-century French abbot, once said, “The man who is wise . . . will see his life more like a reservoir than as a canal. The canal . . . pours out as it receives. The reservoir retains the water until it is filled, then discharges the overflow without loss to itself.”

Quite the insightful word picture, huh? It reveals the wisdom of giving to others from a full spiritual tank rather than simply pouring out ministry as quickly as it flows in. Paul reflected this same truth in a prayer for the church in Rome, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). Paul wanted the confidence of the church in Rome to stem from a tank that was already full of hope. Perhaps this is one reason he prayed for the saints in Ephesus to “be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (Ephesians 3:19).

Paul’s prayers reflect the idea that living out of a sense of fullness is the best way to live vibrant lives in Jesus. And here’s the good news—it’s truly possible to live more like a reservoir than a canal! As Jesus said, “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart” (Luke 6:45). The Lord’s words assume there can be a “treasury” of abundance that one can live from. But it doesn’t just appear out of thin air. An abundance within—a full reservoir—occurs when we’re actively pursuing God and His spiritually strengthening truth.

You can run on low fuel for only a limited time. Turn to the One today who longs to restore your soul and fill your spiritual reservoir to overflowing (Psalm 23:5; John 7:38).