Article September 4, 1989 Issue

"Freely ye have received, freely give"

Gratitude for the good God gives us impels us to share the same spiritual gifts with others!

Amy K. Anderson

Have you ever felt so grateful to someone that you wanted with all your heart to find a way to repay him? If what was done for you meant a great deal to you, you naturally wanted to give something in return. When we're truly grateful we feel a need to do more than just say "thanks."

Jesus once said to his disciples, "... freely ye have received, freely give." He was speaking to them just before they were to leave on a journey of healing and preaching. The entire verse in the Bible reads, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give."^{ Matt. 10:8.} When we read Christ Jesus' words, do they speak to us, or do we think of them as having meaning only centuries ago and for those few disciples? Jesus seems to have been speaking of a deep gratitude that simply must be expressed in giving. But what had the disciples received that they were to give? And if the words are meant for us too, what is it that we've received; exactly what are we to give?

You may be wondering how Jesus' words can speak to you. Maybe you feel that you haven't freely received much of anything. If you've been struggling with difficult challenges, you may even be doubtful about your ability to give freely.

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