I recently saw this message on a church sign: “Be a fountain, not a drain.”

We all have encountered people who can be quite draining. Their constant demands on our time, energy, emotions and resources leave us feeling tired and empty. We are tempted to cross the street when we see them headed in our direction!

I can remember times when I was a burden on my family, friends and church. I wish I had possessed more spiritual maturity, so that I wouldn’t have required such a high level of maintenance. I hope that I have grown to the point where I am more like a fountain than a drain.

I know that there will always be needy people around us. Jesus said that the poor would always be with us. The Bible says that we should be ready to bear one another’s burdens. There will be times when each of us needs to lean heavily on someone else. However, we can choose to be less demanding and more of a blessing to other people.

Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”

I’ve noticed something that is generally true about people who choose to be takers rather than givers—they are quite unhappy. In their pursuit to be blessed by other people, they forfeit the blessings that God could pour into their lives.

Fountain, or drain? The choice is yours.