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GIVING AND RECEIVING

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 25, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 12.

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GIVING AND RECEIVING.

By J. S. Washburn

THE inspired physician, Luke, tells us that the Lord Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” The joy of heaven is the joy of giving; every good gift is poured out upon us that we may give it to others. He who does not give will soon cease to receive, will stagnate, die. See that slimy pool, dead itself, and breeding death and malaria. Why?—Because it has no outlet. So is he that lives only to himself, who will not give to others, fearing that he himself shall have nothing. But turn from this loathsome death-decay, to the gushing, singing, mountain stream, clear as a crystal. Why this marvelous difference? The mountain stream forever flows onward, outward. There is an inlet, because there is an outlet. There is an inflow, because there is an outflow. The stream flows in, only as it flows out. This is God’s philosophy of giving and receiving. It is blessed to receive, only as we give that which is received to others. The River of Life flows ever outward from God to all creation, animate and inanimate, and is, in all those who receive Him, a well of water springing up, flowing out to others.
He who gives will receive. He who fears to give, fearing that he will not have enough for himself, will soon cease to receive. He who would have heavenly riches, must sell and give. The Lord sent Elijah to a poor widow who had just enough food for one last meal for her son and herself. The prophet requested that she should make him a “little cake, first, and bring it out to me, and after make for thee and for thy son.” As long as she thus made the cause of God in the person of Elijah first, so long was there abundance to preserve her life and the life of her son, while all about her, those who lived for themselves were dying. Truly in this, the Elijah message for to-day, this miracle will be repeated for those who have the faith of Jesus. He who has freely received will freely give, and he will freely receive as he freely gives. He will receive all that God has for him when he gives all he is, and all he has for the cause of God. J. S. WASHBURN.