Stagnant Pond or Flowing Stream?
What makes a stagnant pond different than a flowing stream?
Here are a few of my observations. A stagnant pond is cutoff from any source, and the water is not fresh. In fact, the origin of the word pond comes from a variant of the English word, pound, meaning “enclosed place.” A pond is typically small, and because of the lack of movement, it can produce a layer of pond scum where bacteria grow. This scum can completely cover the pond and make the water barely visible.
In contrast, a flowing stream is constantly fed by a higher water source. This may be a glacier, mountain snowmelt, or a lake. Its length is determined by its Creator as it flows from the source to its destination, called the mouth. Its constant flow ensures the water is fresh, and its movements are dynamic as it navigates through the rapids and times of calm.
When it comes to giving back to God, we can be a stagnant pond or a flowing stream.
Stagnant Pond
When we distance ourselves off from the Holy Spirit, we cut ourselves off from our Source. A lack of prayer, quiet time, study of God’s word, and listening often lead to this break. We become completely reliant upon self and our focus turns inward rather than on God. As a result, our impact is small, and eventually the lack of movement produces stagnation – like a pond. Over time, spiritual bacteria form in our giving patterns, and it becomes more of a “religious” requirement than a joyful journey with God.
Some common times of life we are susceptible for stagnation in our giving includes:
- Times of Comfort – Oftentimes when everything in life seems to be going well, and we are comfortable financially, we can become stagnant. Our comfort can lead to mundane routines that cause us to “go through the motions” of life without thought. Our human nature kicks in and begins to resist movement in our giving and we find ourselves quickly enclosed and working more toward preserving our current comforts.
- Times of Isolation – When we distance ourselves from the body of Christ, we miss a key component that keeps us fresh in our spiritual growth. We miss good teaching, modeling and mentoring that help us continue to grow in our generosity. We are left to fend for ourselves and can quickly become pray to the Devil, our flesh or the temptations of the world.
- Time of Transition – When we face transitions such as a job transfer, a change of our home church, or a physical relocation, we can become disconnected from spiritual disciplines such as giving. Over time, this disconnects and distances us from our Source and spiritual bacteria set in.
Flowing Stream
We must strive to remain a flowing stream that pours out the time, talent, and treasure God has entrusted to us so that we can bless others and help advance His Kingdom on earth.
How can we be like a flowing stream?
1. Believe in Me
Our belief in Christ for salvation and His promises connects us to our Source. As we trust Christ and His word, living water will flow in and through our lives. John 7:38 says, “Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Streams of living water will flow from his heart.'”
2. Remain in Me
Staying close relationally to God ensures we are always connected to our Source and that His blessings can flow in and through our lives. John 15:4 says, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.” We can remain in Christ by living an intentional life for Him that includes prayer, reading His word, listening and daily surrender.
3. Follow Me
By believing and remaining in Christ, we begin to understand our call to follow Him. As followers, we awaken to the understanding that we are stewards of all He has provided. Releasing “our” possessions back to God breaks through barriers, frees us to have a larger impact on the world, and allows us to follow the specific design God has for our lives – like a stream. Each one of us was designed and created with specific works in mind before we were born. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” We are called to be stewards, so those good works involve the releasing of our time, talent, and treasure. As a result, we will faithfully accomplish the works He has designed and created us to do.
The Result
These steps will lead to a journey of generosity that is dynamic, fresh, and constantly moving like a stream. We will be called to give to different people, causes, and needs. Challenges will arise that push us to grow in our giving rather than remain stagnant. New paths of generosity may even be carved out for the future. Along the journey, we will see times of calm and face rocky challenges, but in the end, God remains our source, and we will reach the destination He has intended for us before time began.