This quote is essentially a metaphor comparing Christ to a fountain rather than a cistern. A cistern is a tank designed for storing water, and while it can hold much, its supply is finite and can be depleted. On the other hand, a fountain constantly replenishes itself; it’s an unending source that never runs dry.
The comparison of Christ to an inexhaustible fountain implies that His love, grace, wisdom and blessings are unending. No matter how much we draw from Him, there will always be more available. It suggests that He is not limited in resources or capacity to give.
In terms of personal development or application in today’s world, this quote could inspire us to adopt a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity. Often people operate under the assumption that resources (be they tangible like money or intangible like love) are limited – akin to the water stored in a cistern – causing competition and fear of loss.
However, if we consider these resources as infinite like the water from Spurgeon’s metaphorical fountain – we might approach life differently. We would share more freely without fear of running out; we would trust more deeply in our own resilience and ability to regenerate whatever has been spent or lost.
Furthermore, seeing others not as competitors for scarce resources but fellow recipients of abundant provision promotes unity and cooperation instead of division and rivalry.
In essence: adopting an ‘abundance mindset’ – viewing life as an ever-replenishing fountain instead of a finite cistern – can lead us towards greater generosity, deeper relationships with others, increased resilience during tough times and ultimately contribute towards personal growth.
