1302. That Take, and Give

That Take, and Give

"Freely ye have received, freely give" (Mat_10:8).

The Lord told Peter to cast his hook into the sea and take up the first fish, and he would find a piece of money. Then He spoke the words from which we take our theme: "That take, and give unto them."

What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.

1. "Freely ye have received." Who is there who can number his blessings? God giveth unto us richly all things, that we may enjoy them.

He has stored the earth and the air with everything necessary to supply man's needs.

How wonderful it all is! Think of Adam and Eve opening their eyes upon a planet filled to abundance, with everything that man could need. The earth has given us food and raiment, silver and gold. From the earth we secure the fuel for our fires, as well as the material with which to build our homes. In fact, what is there that we want that we cannot find already at our hand?

From the air we receive untold blessings. Even the planets, themselves, have their beneficent gifts for men.

2. "Freely give." God wants us to take of His bounties, but He does not want us to hoard them up for ourselves, He wants us to pass them on that, others may share His good things.

Take and give–this is the keynote of nature. Every plant takes moisture, air, strength, from the physical earth, but it takes that it may give either in fragrance or in food or in some other way for the good of man.

Christians should be channels, not chalices.

"Have you had a kindness shown? Pass it on.

'Twas not given to thee alone, pass it on,

Let it go along the years,

Let us help another's tears,

Till in Heaven the deed appears,

Pass it on."

"Take and give" must never be divorced. If we take, and give not, we will impoverish ourselves. If we take and give, we will be enriched. "There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty."

"A man there was, though some did count him mad,

The more he cast away, the more he had."

"Give, and it shall be given unto you."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR