“For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34).
STORED UP
What a graphic picture the Lord Jesus paints for us using an overflow as an example.
If the tank is full of stagnant polluted water, a little movement will disturb the water and it will make its way to the overflow outlet. The people will see its discoloured appearance, and smell its foul odour.
Such is the picture of those who are evil. Jesus pointed to the Pharisees who had said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons” (Matt 12:24).
Jesus went around doing good, so attributing evil to him only served to show what was in the hearts of the Pharisees. In a similar way, those who go around gossiping say more about themselves than the people they gossip about.
Jesus as a part of his reply said, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him” (Matt 12:35).
Containing what is within our hearts is not easy, its contents will spill out at some point. But the real question is what is stored up in our hearts?.
Is it years of grudge-bearing, jealousies and anger? For these vices will soon make their appearance known to anyone in their vicinity. Or do we store up God’s Word, the Fruit of the Spirit and the presence of God within us. For they too will make their presence known.
Our cup will be running over when we honour the Lord from our heart. “Your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine” (Prov 3:10). We will always have something good to share with those around us.
“Every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old” (Matt 13:52).
If we store up selfishness within us we will lose the little we have saved. But if we have a heart that is willing to give we receive even more.
“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty” (Prov 11:24).
So when we come to our prayers and Bible reading, when we have our quiet time with God we ask him to fill us with those good attributes that come from heaven above, that we may have good things stored up in our hearts.