Young People's Group

Being Poured Out as a “Drink Offering”

by Mitchell Tan
February 16, 2018

PAUL’S PERSPECTIVE OF HIS LIFE AND MINISTRY

Many of us tend to take pride in our achievements. We often view ourselves far more highly than we ought to think. The apostle Paul saw things very differently. In his last words to Timothy, Paul wrote of how he viewed himself and his ministry as only a drink offering being poured out.

“For I am already poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.”
2 Timothy 4:6

The Lord must have intimated to Paul that he was going to die soon. He had done much for Him and His kingdom. This was recorded in his parting words to the Ephesian Elders. Paul spoke of how he had served God in all humility, with many tears and trials (Acts 20:20). He had testified to the Jews and also to the Greeks about his faith in the Lord Jesus. He had gone everywhere testifying of the gospel of His grace. He had not shunned to declare to them the whole counsel of God. He had also written 13 epistles, which became books of the Bible. Paul had achieved much for the Lord. And yet he saw his life and ministry as only a drink offering being poured out.

1. UNDERSTANDING THE DRINK OFFERING

A. THERE WERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF OFFERINGS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

The burnt and peace offerings were the sacrificing and burning of animals before the Lord as expressions of devotion and thanksgiving to Him. These were meant to be a sweet aroma to Him (Leviticus 1:1-17). The grain offering, where fine flour together with oil and frankincense were offered up, was also as an expression of thanksgiving to God (Leviticus 2:1-16). The sin and trespass offerings were with reference to the atoning of sin (Leviticus 4 and 5). Animal and birds were sacrificed for these offering.

B. THE DRINK OFFERING

The drink offering was often included in the burnt and grain offerings. In the morning and the evening offerings, one lamb was offered together with a grain offering and a cup of wine as a drink offering (Exodus 29:38-41). When the lamb and flour were being burnt, the wine would be poured on it. When we compare the drink offering with other offerings, it is viewed as only a minor part of the whole sacrifice.

2. SEEING ONE’S LIFE AND SERVICE AS ONLY A DRINK OFFERING

When Paul wrote to the Philippians, he was able to see that his life and ministry was being poured out on the sacrifice and service of the faith of the Philippians.

“Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith”
Philippians 2:17

At this point of time when he wrote to the Philippians, there was no certainty concerning his death yet. However, he had already started seeing himself as one being poured out on the service of the faith of the Philippians. When Paul wrote 2 Timothy, he knew that his martyrdom was imminent. Paul was most humble as he saw himself as only a drink offering. He had done much for the Lord and yet he saw his whole life as only a humble cup of wine being poured out. He saw his role as only a minor part of the Lord’s ministry. Such was the depth of faith and humility of Paul! Young people, let’s seek to have a spirit of humility in all that we do and say. Let’s seek to emulate Paul in seeking to do much for the Lord and seeing ourselves as only a drink offering being poured out in service of Him and others.

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