In a book called "Growing Into Light", Max Long writes about a leathery old westerner who called himself Desert Pete. Living out in the sun-beaten country where water is so very precious, Desert Pete wrote a note, put it in a baking-powder can and wired it to an old pump. Here’s what he wrote:'Under the white rock I buried a bottle of
water, out of the sun, cork end up. There’s
enough water in it to prime this pump, but
not if you drink some first. Pour about one
fourth, and let her soak to wet the leather.
Then pour the rest medium fast and pump.
You’ll git water. The well has never run
dry. Have faith. When you git watered up,
fill the bottle and put it back like you found
it for the next feller. -- Desert Pete
P. S. Don’t go drinking up the water
first. Prime the pump with it…I’ve give
my last dime away a dozen times to prime
the pump of my prayers, and I’ve fed my
last beans to a stranger while a’sayin’
“Amen.” It never failed yet to get me an
answer. You’ve got to git “Your Heart
Fixed To Give” before you can be give to.
Desert Pete in his own special style was teaching the same lesson that Jesus taught:
“Give,” said our Lord, “and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” – Luke 6:38. In his gospel, Mark adds,
“…and still more will be given you.” – Mark 4:24
Have you ever met anyone who really had his “heart fixed to give,” who did not testify that he was the one who benefited by the giving? Think about that as you consider giving to our Lords’ work through our congregation’s ministry. It is in giving that we truly receive!
Shalom!
