Hello Friends, 

A few months ago, I heard a quote that said, “Be a fountain, not a drain.” Since then, this thought has been on my mind quite a bit. So much so, that when I recently hosted a ladies fellowship for our church ladies, I chose fountains as our theme.

Today, I want to share what I have learned about this topic and would like you to consider this question:

What kind of person are you to the people around you? A fountain of blessing… or a drain of discouragement?

I hope you will read this article and come away encouraged to be a fountain of blessing to those around you, especially your family!

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First things first, what does the Bible have to say about fountains?

God is the Ultimate Fountain of Life

Psalm 36:9 – For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

Jeremiah 2:13 – For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

Wisdom and Understanding are a Fountain of Life

The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. Proverbs 13:14

Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it. Proverbs 16:22a

Our Mouths Can be a Fountain of Blessing

The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: Proverbs 10:11a

The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. Proverbs 18:4

>>> If we want to be a fountain of blessing to those around us, it starts with filling our mind and heart with the right things, so that the right words come out of our mouth!

So how do we do this? How do we become a fountain of blessing, instead of a drain of discouragement?

How to Be a Fountain of Blessing

1. Go to the Fountain of Life to be Filled

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

In order to have anything to give, we need to be filled. This happens when we spend time in the Word, allowing God to fill us from the “Fountain of Life”.

Yes, this takes time. But when we spend time with the Lord first, He will fill us in a way that nothing else in this world ever can! 

2. Grow in Wisdom and Understanding 

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs 4:7

Wisdom and understanding are a fountain of life to those who possess them… and wisdom and understanding don’t just bless you…. they bless those around you, especially your family. A foolish wife and mother can negatively impact her family for generations to come. Whereas, on the flip side, a wise wife and mother can positively impact her family for many generations to come. Which would you rather be? 

Here are some simple ways to grow in wisdom and understanding:

• Read the book of Proverbs!
• Ask God for wisdom (James 1:5)
• Listen to the preaching of God’s Word and apply it to your life!
• Spend time with wise people (you become like those you spend time with!)
• Read good books written by wise people
• Ask questions
• Don’t ever stop learning and growing

3. Use Your Mouth to Bless Others

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21

The Bible makes it very clear that our words can tear down, or build up. If you want to be a fountain of blessing to those around you… you need to use your words the right way!

Use your words to:

• Encourage
• Build up
• Show gratitude
• Extend forgiveness
• Express love
• Speak the truth in love

Do not use your words to:

• Discourage
• Tear down
• Complain
• Hurt or wound
• Express hate
• Speak the truth without love

Our words have so much power. We cannot control a lot of things in our life, but we can control what goes into our minds and hearts and the words that come out of our mouths.

Final Thoughts

I hope you will determine today to be a fountain of blessing to those around you… especially to those closest to you: your family!

What can you start doing today (or STOP doing) to be a fountain of blessing?

(A book that has really challenged me to love and bless others in unique ways is Listen, Love, Repeat by Karen Ehman.  You can find her book on both Amazon and ChristianBook.com.)

And if you enjoyed this blog post, you may also enjoy: 100 Little Ways to Bless Others