“Freely ye have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8)

William MacDonald introduced his thoughts on this verse by telling this story: Fritz Kreisler, one of the world’s greatest violinists said, “I was born with music in my system. I knew musical scores instinctively before I knew my ABC’s. It was a gift of Providence. I did not acquire it. So I do not even deserve thanks for the music…Music is too sacred to be sold. And the outrageous prices the musical celebrities charge today are truly a crime against society.”

These are words that everyone in Christian work might take to heart. The Christian ministry is a ministry of giving, not of getting. The question is not, “What is there in it for me?” but rather “How can I best share the message with the greatest number?” In the service of Christ, it is far better that things should cost rather than that they should pay.

It is true that “The labourer is worthy of his hire” (Luke 10:7) and that “They which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14). But this does not justify a man’s setting a price on his gift. It does not justify charging exorbitant royalties for the use of hymns. It does not justify unconscionable fees for speaking or singing engagements.

Simon the Sorcerer wanted to buy the power of conferring the Holy Spirit on others (Acts 8:19). No doubt he saw this as a way of making money for himself. By his action, he gave his name to our language (simony) to describe the buying or selling of religious privileges. It is no overstatement to say that the religious world today is shot through with simony.

If the dollar could somehow be removed from so-called Christian work, a great deal of it would stop immediately. But there would still be faithful servants of the Lord who would press on till their last ounce of strength was expended.

We have received freely; we ought to give freely. The more we give, the wider the blessing, and the greater the reward – good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.“- Heb.11:6

A story is told of an unnamed Scottish preacher who tragically and suddenly lost his wife. After her death he preached a very personal and honest message concerning his crisis of faith. During the sermon he said he didn’t understand how people could abandon their faith during adversity. He asserted, “Abandon your faith for what? People who live in the sunshine may have faith, but we who live in the shadows must have faith – we have nothing else.”

    Charles Spurgeon said, “If we do not believe God when circumstances are against us, we do not believe God at all.” If God can only be trusted during times of blessing, then what good is our faith to begin with? What is the personal benefit of distrust in God? There is none.

    Through our losses we learn to value our gain. In our darkness we appreciate the smallest flicker of light. By our thirst we more happily approach God’s well of grace to draw a handful of living water. 

    Therefore, we cling to God and trust in God when all is lost, not because He is all we have, but rather because He is enough. As E.M. Bounds suggested, “Unbelief puts our circumstances between us and God. Faith puts God between us and our circumstances. ( Seeds for the Soul)

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.

“Who loved me.” – Gal. 2:20

And what was Paul? A blasphemer, a persecutor, one who injured the church of God. And did Jesus love Paul? Yes: “He loved me.” Then the love of Jesus is free, and not on account of anything man is.

The cause of love is in God, not in the objects loved. You may have looked for some reason to conclude that God has loved you, but you have been disappointed; the Lord says, “I will love them freely.” When we were dead in sins, He quickened us because He loved us; He revealed Jesus to us because He loved us; He has given us His Holy Spirit because He loved us.

Jesus loves us this morning with a free, infinite, and eternal love. He loves our persons, apart from our graces and acts; these are the effects of His love, and not strictly the objects of His love. O Holy Spirit! whisper to our hearts this morning, “Jesus loved THEE, even thee.” O to love Him in return! to love Him above health, wealth, comfort, yea, life itself! O to show forth the praises of His love by humility, faith, constancy, and zeal! – James Smith, 1840

Great God, to Thy almighty love
What honours shall I raise?
Not all the raptured songs above,
Can render equal praise:
Thy love to me surpasses thought!
O could I praise Thee as I ought!

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.

WAIT ON. THE LORD

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” – James 1:2-3

We are bidden to count our trials as pure Joy, since our patient endurance leads ultimately to the finished product of a holy character. All the trials and afflictions that beset us are seen and shared by our Heavenly Father. God did not save Israel from the ordeal of affliction, but passed through it with them (Exo 3:7-9; Isa 63:9). Evidently there was a wise purpose to be served by those bitter Egyptian experiences. So with ourselves. There is a reason for our trials which we do not understand now, but we shall do some day, when we stand in the light with God. Afflictions are not always chastisement, though in some cases that may be so; but more often we are in grief through manifold trials, that the proof of our faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, may be found unto praise and honour and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Let us therefore rejoice, and magnify His lovingkindness. What a theme is here for praise! Sweet psalms and hymns have floated down the ages, bearing comfort for myriads, because those who wrote them passed through searching discipline. And it may be that we who have passed through great tribulation will be able to contribute notes in the Heavenly music that the unfallen sons of light could never sing. The Psalter of Eternity could not be complete without the reminiscences, set to music, of the grace that ministered to us in our earthly trials, and brought us up out of the furnace of pain.

Then we shall tell how God’s glorious arm went also at our right hand, as at the right hand of Moses; of how the stony paths became soft as mossy grass; of how He led us out of the scorching heat into green pastures and waters of rest; and how He provided for us to make for Himself a glorious Name. Yes, we will make mention of the Lord, according to all that He shall have bestowed upon us, according to His mercies, and according to the multitude of His lovingkindness. We will tell the story of how the Angel of His Presence saved us; how, in His love and pity, He redeemed us; and how He bare and carried us all the days of old. We shall have a great story to tell! “My heart and my flesh fail, but Thou art the strength of my heart and my portion for ever! None of them that trust in Him shall be desolate.'”

Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give me an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; give me an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. AMEN.- F B Meyer

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346