SURROUNDED

Today's reading: Joshua 16-20

"The second allotment of land went to the families of the tribe of Simeon. Their inheritance was surrounded by Judah's territory...This was the inheritance of the families of the tribe of Simeon. Their inheritance came from part of what had been given to Judah because Judah's territory was too large for them. So the tribe of Simeon received an inheritance within the territory of Judah." Joshua 19:1-9 NLT

Here we find ourselves at the specific point in time when parcels of the Promised Land were being allotted to the tribes of Israel.

They had endured. They had wandered. They had trusted. They had collected manna and quail. They had seen the glory of the Lord for 40 years--and now they were standing on the border of what all God had promised.

And the tribes of Judah and Simeon?

Well, their 'blessings' were what we might refer to as overlapping.

Judah had been given more than they needed, could handle, would steward--and Simeon caught the overflow.

Friend, we are in one of two camps--and the camp we're in varies with each stage of our life, the choices we make and how honest we are with ourselves...

We are either sharing our abundance from the Lord with another--or we are on the receiving end of their surplus.

Aren't we?

Haven't you had moments in your life when another's blessings spilled over onto you? Their generosity touched your life. They included you in a handout from the Lord. The Lord's blessing on their life reached out and touched yours.

Surely you've shared a blessing? Given out of an abundance. Passed out what was more than you needed. Shared from a bulging wagon of blessings.

Which camp are you in today?