Philippians 2:16-18 II; Pour It Out

“And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.  So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.”

The phrase, “poured out like a drink offering” is one of my favorite phrases in the bible.  It is just so...visual.  Paul’s life was a cup being poured onto the sacrifice of God’s altar.  Can’t you just see it?

In the sacrificial system, a drink offering worked pretty much like you would imagine: the drink was poured over the sacrifice on the altar.  The cup was full, it was poured out to God, and then the cup was empty.  Once poured out, the liquid could not be put back in…once our service is given, once our life is spent, it is gone.

I realize that isn’t the most chipper thought in the world.  But it is true.  Today we are one day closer to our death than we were yesterday.  That is a reality check isn’t it?  If we are lucky, we will have 80 years or so to walk on this earth; in the scope of history, that isn’t much.  We would be wise to count our days…and make our days count. 

Pouring out our lives is not an option, but you have a choice in how you pour out your life.  Paul’s life was spent in service to God by planting and ministering to churches.  Even as he neared the end of his journey, he rejoiced because his life was consumed in the service of God.

You are spending your life on something.  Are you pouring it over things like money, prestige, and pleasure?  Or are you pouring it out for something that will last forever – service to God and His Kingdom?  We have a limited number of days to walk this earth – make them count!

"People who do not know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries. They forget that they too are expending their lives … and when the bubble has burst they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted.” – Nate Saint