In this short article, let us briefly look at three kinds of givers and the results of their giving:
1) The Flint — To get anything from the flint, you must hammer it. And even then, you generally get only chips and sparks. It gives “nothing” away if it can help it, and even then only with a great display.
2) The Sponge — To get anything from the sponge, you must squeeze it. It is good-natured. It readily yields to pressure, and the more it is pressed, the more it gives. Still, one must press.
3) The Honeycomb — To get anything from the honeycomb, one must only take what flows from it. (2 Corinthians 8:1-5), without pressure, without begging or badgering. It gives its sweetness freely.
It takes delight in giving
There is another difference in the honeycomb. It is a “renewable” resource. Unlike the flint or sponge, the honeycomb is connected to life; it is the product of ongoing work and creative energy. One of the reasons “honeycomb givers” are able to give freely, is that they are aware that their lives are continually being replenished. They believe that what they give away will soon be regenerated (Deuteronomy 15:10; Proverbs 19:17; Ecclesiastes 11:1; Matthew 10:42).
As long as you are connected to the Source of all giving (James 1:17), you can never run dry. When you give freely, you will receive in like manner (2 Corinthians 8:1-5,12-15; cf. Exodus 16:18). Beloved, as Christians, let us strive to be “honeycomb givers” in service to our heavenly Father by demonstrating a live, active faith (John 4:14; John 7:37-38; cf. Gal. 5:6; James 2:14-26; 1 John 3:18).
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
1) The Flint — To get anything from the flint, you must hammer it. And even then, you generally get only chips and sparks. It gives “nothing” away if it can help it, and even then only with a great display.
2) The Sponge — To get anything from the sponge, you must squeeze it. It is good-natured. It readily yields to pressure, and the more it is pressed, the more it gives. Still, one must press.
3) The Honeycomb — To get anything from the honeycomb, one must only take what flows from it. (2 Corinthians 8:1-5), without pressure, without begging or badgering. It gives its sweetness freely.It takes delight in giving
There is another difference in the honeycomb. It is a “renewable” resource. Unlike the flint or sponge, the honeycomb is connected to life; it is the product of ongoing work and creative energy. One of the reasons “honeycomb givers” are able to give freely, is that they are aware that their lives are continually being replenished. They believe that what they give away will soon be regenerated (Deuteronomy 15:10; Proverbs 19:17; Ecclesiastes 11:1; Matthew 10:42).
As long as you are connected to the Source of all giving (James 1:17), you can never run dry. When you give freely, you will receive in like manner (2 Corinthians 8:1-5,12-15; cf. Exodus 16:18). Beloved, as Christians, let us strive to be “honeycomb givers” in service to our heavenly Father by demonstrating a live, active faith (John 4:14; John 7:37-38; cf. Gal. 5:6; James 2:14-26; 1 John 3:18).
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
Comments
Post a Comment