Those Who Receive Are to Give
The gospel invitation is not to be narrowed down and presented to only a select few who, we suppose, will do us honor if they accept it. The message is to be given to all. When God blesses His children, it is not for their sake alone, but for the world’s sake. As He bestows His gifts on us, it is that we may multiply them by imparting.MHH 47.3
No sooner had the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well found the Savior than she brought others to Him. She proved herself a more effective missionary than His own disciples. The disciples saw nothing in Samaria to indicate that it was an encouraging field. Their thoughts were fixed upon a great work to be done in the future. They did not see that right around them was a harvest to be gathered. But through the woman whom they despised a whole cityful were brought to hear Jesus. She carried the light at once to her countrymen.MHH 47.4
This woman represents the working of a practical faith in Christ. Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary. No sooner does a person come to know the Savior than he or she desires to make others acquainted with Him. The saving and sanctifying truth cannot be shut up in the heart. Anyone who drinks of the living water becomes a fountain of life. The receiver becomes a giver. The grace of Christ in the soul is like a spring in the desert, welling up to refresh all. It makes those who are ready to perish eager to drink of the water of life. In doing this we receive a greater blessing than if we work merely to benefit ourselves. It is in working to spread the good news of salvation that we are brought near to the Savior.MHH 47.5
Of those who receive His grace the Lord says: “‘I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing.’” Ezekiel 34:26.MHH 48.1
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:37, 38.MHH 48.2
Those who receive are to impart to others. From every direction are coming calls for help. God calls upon men and women to minister gladly to others. Immortal crowns are to be won. The kingdom of heaven is to be gained. The world, perishing in ignorance, is to be enlightened.MHH 48.3
“‘Do you not say, “There are still four months, and then comes the harvest”? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life.’” John 4:35, 36.MHH 48.4
For three years the disciples had before them the wonderful example of Jesus. Day by day they walked and talked with Him, hearing His words of cheer to the weary and heavy-laden, and seeing the manifestations of His power in behalf of the sick and afflicted. When the time came for Him to leave, He gave them grace and power to carry forward His work in His name. They were to shed abroad the light of His gospel of love and healing. And the Savior promised that His presence would be with them always. Through the Holy Spirit He would be even nearer than when He walked visibly among them.MHH 48.5
The work that the disciples did, we also are to do. Every follower of Christ is to be a missionary. In sympathy and compassion we are to minister to those in need of help, with unselfish earnestness trying to lighten the woes of suffering humanity.MHH 48.6
All may find something to do. None need feel that there is no place where they can work for Christ. The Savior identifies Himself with every child of humanity. That we might become members of the heavenly family, He became a member of the earthly family. He is the Son of man, and thus a brother to every son and daughter of Adam. His followers are not to feel themselves detached from the perishing world around them. They are a part of the great web of humanity, and heaven looks upon them as brothers and sisters to sinners as well as to saints.MHH 48.7
Millions upon millions of human beings, in sickness and ignorance and sin, have never so much as heard of Christ’s love for them. If our condition and theirs were to be reversed, what would we want them to do for us? All this, so far as lies in our power, we are to do for them. Christ’s rule of life by which every one of us must stand or fall in the judgment is, “‘Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them.’” Matthew 7:12.MHH 48.8
By all that has given us advantage over another—be it education and refinement, nobility of character, Christian training, or religious experience—we are in debt to those less favored, and so far as lies in our power we are to minister to them. If we are strong, we are to hold up the hands of the weak.MHH 49.1
Angels of glory who live in the presence of the Father in heaven delight to minister to His little ones. Angels are ever present where they are most needed—with those who have the hardest battles with self to fight, and whose surroundings are the most discouraging. Weak and trembling souls who have many objectionable traits of character are their special charge. That which selfish hearts would regard as humiliating service—to minister to those who are wretched and in every way inferior in character—is the work of the pure, sinless beings from the courts above.MHH 49.2