An Interesting Way to Look at Leftovers

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.. —1 Thessalonians 3:12

The word “overflow” in this passage actually means leftovers. It’s the same word used when Jesus fed the 5000 and they went around afterwards and filled 12 baskets full of what was left.

In this passage Paul is praying that the people would have so much love in their hearts that it overflows, or there is some left over to give away. What a great prayer for each of us to pray each day. Lord, please give me so much love from you that I have plenty to pass on to others. I want my love to overflow.

It’s also a great verse to share with each person in your family. Do they have enough love to give away or are they still grasping for selfishness to keep it all for self. Each person needs to find that love that God wants to give them and receive so much of it that they have to look for ways to distribute it to others.

Lord, please fill me up to overflowing. Make me so aware of your love and allow me to receive so much of it that my heart is willing to distribute it to others, even those in my family who need more. Amen.