Freely Given, Freely Give by David Jeremiah

Wednesday, October 18

Freely Given, Freely Give 

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 
Matthew 10:8 

Recommended Reading James 1:17

A well-known quip says that you never see a hearse pulling a trailer. That is a modern paraphrase of Paul’s words to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:7: “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” That truth is the basis for the Bible’s principle of generosity: Everything we have, we have been given. Therefore, we should be a channel, a conduit, of God’s grace and gifts to others.

That’s what Jesus told His disciples when He sent them out to minister in His name. Everything they were taking with them—the power to “heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons”—had been given to them to give to others: “Freely you have received, [therefore] freely give.” That lies at the heart of goodness and generosity in a godly life. Even King David recognized that God was the source of his wealth: “For all things come from You” (1 Chronicles 29:14). Therefore, he gave generously for the building of a temple for God in Jerusalem.

Look for opportunities today to be good, to be generous, to others. Whatever God has done for you, do for others in His name.

God is never less than generous, even when we are less than grateful. 
John Blanchard