One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Prov. 11:24-25
Lord Jesus, I cannot read these words without lifting my heart and hands toward heaven. I cannot read these three words, “whoever refreshes others,” without thinking of you. For no one refreshes a dry and disconnected heart like you; no one is breathes life into the listless sails of a soul like you; no one is an artesian spring of encouragement like you; no one welcomes our burdens and cares, our weariness and our woes like you. Your mercies are new every morning, and your steadfast love never comes to an end. Great is your faithfulness!
Indeed, no one gives more freely than you, Jesus. You’ll never be charged with withholding any good thing from your people. You’ll never come to poverty through hoarding, because you freely chose the poverty of the cross as a means of making us rich (2 Cor. 8:9). This is the gospel, and nothing is more refreshing than the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation—for this very moment, for this very parched heart.
In the gospel, you’re always calling to us in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink” (John 7:37). Jesus, I join my brothers and sisters in coming to you right now with my heart as wide as open as the skies of Montana and as willing to receive as the government is our taxes. I humble myself before you. I own the need that you alone can meet. I am not ashamed to let you know just how much I need to be refreshed by you, Jesus. You love to give, and I love to receive from you… right now.
And as grace runs downhill to the needy, so it flows freely to others. To whom would you send us today—to whom would you send me? Who needs a word of grace, a look of mercy, a hug of hope… or maybe a listening, lingering lunch? Freely we will receive, freely we will give to others. So very Amen we pray, in your most generous and grace-full name.
