GATHERING MANNA | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 17, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 23.

GATHERING MANNA.

PAUL writes to the Corinthians in regard to the manna in the wilderness: "He that had gathered much had nothing over, and he that had gathered little had no lack." 2 Cor. 8:15. This is a quotation from Ex. 16:18. Every one was to have an omer daily of the miraculous food, no more and no less. But how was this equality secured? By equality in gathering?—No, for it is expressly stated that some gathered much and some little. It is evident that it was every man's privilege and duty to gather all that he could. A strong man might gather ten omers for a family of five, while his feeble neighbor might be able to gather only five omers for a family of ten. How now?—When the strong man brought his manna home he measured out his five omers—that was his. The other five omers were not his. He held them in trust for his feebler neighbor. He was bound to send them to him or give them when called for. If he kept the surplus it would do him no good. It would only breed worms. Here then was not an equality of ability, but an equality of supply. It was the best kind of communism—that of brotherly love.

But it may be suggested that since the strong man with a family of five needed and could have only five omers he would not gather any more. This was evidently not the case, however. The people all seemed animated by a noble ambition to gather as much as they could. And in this they are an example for us. We ought to improve all our faculties and all our opportunities. We ought to get as much as we can, honestly, of worldly good. But when we have got it we have no right to keep more of it than we need. We are to distribute so that there may be equality. As surely as manna selfishly hoarded in the wilderness bred worms, the riches of the miser are corrupted and his garments moth-eaten. God gives abundance to some that they may supply the wants of others. John Howard's rule of giving was, "That our superfluities should give way to other men's conveniences; that our conveniences give way to other men's necessities; and that even our necessities sometimes give way to other men's extremities."—Interior.