Many of you have heard the story about the traveler who was lost in the desert and out of water. He was literally dying of thirst. He knew that death was near unless he found water soon. In the distance, he saw a shack. When he got to the shack, he saw a water pump and a jar of clear, delicious, thirst quenching water. Along with the jar was jar that read, “Dear Traveler, pour all the water into the top of the pump to prime it, if you do this you will get all the water you need”. Now the dying man had a decision to make, should he trust the note and prime the pump or should he drink the water in the jar? There’s water. He’s thirsty. However, is there enough to quench his thirst? There’s not enough with which to wash. What would you do? What did he do?
He trusted the note. He poured the water on top of the pump to prime it. He then pumped and pumped. Eventually, water started to flow. He quenched his thirst. Some say he enough took a bath. Who knows. What we do know is that he filled the jar and left it and the note for another traveler. Some say he added, “Pour it out on the pump. Believe me it works.” Again, we don’t know if he did.
What does this have to do with money or your finances? Getting out of debt takes a first step. You need to prime your pump. Your water jar is tithing. You need to trust God. Trust that He will meet your needs. Give to Him your first fruits. You have:
- to be willing to pour in everything you have before you can see God’s increase flowing in your life.
- to be willing to trust that you can tap into His deep, abundant supply of resources.
Be faithful to do your part. Give God what you have in your hands. As you do your part, God will do His part. “Priming the pump” takes faith and courage. Remember, God has already given you what you need to take the first step. Even though it takes faith and courage to trust God, He will pour wisdom, strength, and creativity into you and help you accomplish the dreams and desires He has placed in your heart.
Only God knows what talents He wants to bring out in you. Talents you didn’t even know you had. God wants to give you greater opportunities than you ever dreamed possible. You don’t know how much untapped potential is in you — gifts, creativity, ideas. However, they will lie dormant forever. Unless, just like the traveler in our story, you are willing to take what you have and prime the pump. God has given you these gifts to use for the building of His Kingdom. Use your talents to help out at your church or ministry. Don’t hold back. Prime the pump and get going.
