Notebook Leaflets from the Elmshaven Library, vol. 1

Receiving and Giving

There must ever be an interchange of taking in and giving out, receiving and restoring. This links us up as laborers together with God. Not one expression of unbelief is to come from our lips under the hardest trial. Heaven is much nearer to earth when every soul who knows the truth, expresses it in word and action. The giving out ever expresses the truth, and increases the power of taking in. This is the lifework of the Christian. He that will lose his life will find it. 1NL 35.8

The capacity for receiving the holy oil from the two olive trees which empty themselves, is by the receiver emptying that holy oil out of himself in word and in action to supply the necessities of other souls. Work, precious, satisfying work—to be constantly receiving and constantly imparting! The capacity for receiving is only kept up by imparting. Isaiah 58 explains the matter: “Thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.” 1NL 35.9

We need and must have fresh supplies every day. And how many souls we may help by communicating to them. All heaven is waiting for channels through whom can be poured the holy oil to be a joy and refreshing to others. We may work continuously and solidly, so that our work may abide, if Christ is abiding with us. I have no fears of any person making blundering work, if he will only become one with Christ. The divine fullness will flow through the consecrated human agent, to be given forth to others. Linked with the unchanging Jesus Himself, there is a representation of Christ in character. Truth, our Saviour continually insisted upon, must be sought after, found, and given to others. He, our Lord and Saviour, insisted that we should sell all to secure the treasure. Self-sacrifice must be seen in this path at every step. There is to be no lifting up of self, not a thread of self-seeking; for this always separates from Christ.... 1NL 36.1

When we feel oppressed, as we often will, I find it is my best remedy to talk of the light and love of God. My soul is strengthened and blessed; for I draw nigh unto God, and He draws nigh to me, and lifts up for me a standard against the enemy.—Letter 119, 1898. 1NL 36.2