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The general principle is, that in living for the good of others, we shall be profited also ourselves. This teaching is sustained by the analogy of nature, for in nature there is a law that no one thing can be independent of the rest of creation, but there is a mutual action and reaction of all upon all. God has so constituted this universe, that selfishness is the greatest possible offence against His law, and living for others, and ministering to others, is the strictest obedience to His will. Our surest road to our own happiness is to seek the good of our fellows. We store up in God's own bank what we generously expend on the behalf of our race. To get we must give; to accumulate we must scatter; to make ourselves happy, to get good and become spiritually vigorous, we must do good, and seek the spiritual good of others.

I. APPLY THIS PRINCIPLE, IN ITS NARROW SENSE, AS BELONGING TO OURSELVES PERSONALLY. There are some works in which we cannot all engage. Peculiar men have special work; but watering is work for persons of all grades and all sorts.

1. All God's plants, more or less, want watering.

2. The Lord's people usually get this watering through instrumentality. The Holy Spirit waters us by the admonitions of parents, by the kind suggestions of friends, by the teaching of His ministers, by the example of all His saints.

3. Some plants need special watering, and should be the objects of unusual care — partly because of temperament or of ignorance, and partly because of circumstances, maybe of trial, maybe of soul-withering.

4. All believers have some power to water others. In so watering others we shall be watered ourselves. This is the main point.

(1)  You will waken up your own powers.

(2)  You will yourself gain instruction.

(3)  You will get comfort in your work.

(4)  Watering others will make you humble.

(5)  You will win many prayers.

(6)  You will even get honour to yourselves, that will stimulate you to new exertions.

(7)  While watering others you will be manifesting and showing your love to Christ, and that will make you more like Him.

II. THE PRINCIPLE, IN A WIDER SENSE, AS IT MAY REFER TO US AS A CHURCH. We, as a Church, have enjoyed singular prosperity; but we have endeavoured to water others. We have undertaken a good many enterprises for Christ, and we hope to undertake a great many more. We must keep our watering work up.

III. THE PRINCIPLE, IN THE WIDEST SENSE, AS IT MAY BE REFERRED TO THE ENTIRE BODY OF CHRIST. Our missionary operations are an infinite blessing to the Churches at home. Relinquishing them, giving them up, staying them, would bring such a curse that we had need to go down on our knees and pray, "God send the missionary work back again."

( C. H. Spurgeon.}

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KJV: The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

WEB: The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.