Sabbath-School Worker
June 1, 1895
“Freely Ye Have Received, Freely Give”
All day the people had pressed about Jesus, eager to hear his words and to see his wondrous works. As evening began to fall, the sympathies of the disciples were roused for the great multitude, who were now faint and weary after the long, exciting day. They came to Jesus for permission to send the crowds away—away from Jesus—to find refreshment. In amazement they heard the Saviour's answer. “Give ye them to eat.” “Master,” they said, “we have here but five loaves and two fishes.” Yet at his command they brought their little store to him; and, “looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.” SSW June 1, 1895, par. 1
Christ did not himself pass around among the hungry multitude and place in their hands the portion to supply their necessities. When he would feed the five thousand by the Sea of Galilee, he broke the bread, blessed it, and gave it to his disciples. They placed it in the hands of the hungry ones. These men were ministering for Christ. The people took the provision from Christ's appointed agencies as if they were taking it from the hand of Christ. When they looked up with grateful response upon their lips, their expressions of gratitude were accepted by Christ as given to himself. The various instrumentalities are to be used by the Lord Jesus; ministers, evangelists, teachers, friends, companions—all are workers together with God. SSW June 1, 1895, par. 2
The multitude was fed by the five barley loaves, and everyone had a sufficiency; their hunger was perfectly satisfied. How surprised they were to hear the voice of the great Teacher say, “Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost!” And there were twelve baskets full gathered up. All this the people rehearsed over and over again to friends, and relatives, and acquaintances. There was in it a hidden meaning which they did not then discern; it had a lesson for his disciples. The Lord would place in the hands of his delegated servants the bread of life, to be given to the multitude. The Jewish religion was one of exclusiveness. They built up the partition walls as high as possible between themselves and the world. They would not accept the words of Christ, that there is no respect of persons with God, although the prophets had borne to them this testimony for centuries. They thought that God loved the Jew only and hated the gentile. This error Christ was seeking to correct. SSW June 1, 1895, par. 3
The Saviour's act in breaking the bread and placing it in the hands of the disciples for them to distribute, returning to Jesus to receive again, represents the very work which is to be carried on in his spiritual kingdom. The treasures of the grace of God are open to his believing agents, and they are constantly receiving light and knowledge to impart to others. Those who freely receive are to freely give. Christ bids us give to all, high or low, bond or free, of whatever caste or nationality. Nothing is to exclude any from the privilege of receiving the precious gifts of heaven. As the loaves and fishes, multiplied by the power of Christ, were given by the disciples to the multitude, so the gift of the precious, saving truth is imparted in rich abundance to all who will pass it on to others and then expect fresh and new supplies from the great Center to bestow upon all. “Freely ye have received, freely give.” SSW June 1, 1895, par. 4
The narrow conceptions of God's grace and love which had been propagated by the teachings of the rabbis and elders, were being swept away by the words and works of Christ. The operations of Providence in the work of Jesus were to impress upon the minds of the people the fact that in God is an inexhaustible treasure house for his church. Whatever is imparted by Christ to individual workers is to be passed on to those that need the light. Every ray of light emanating from Christ is to be faithfully put to use to bless others. Thus the divine agencies can cooperate with the human. As light is imparted, more light is given. SSW June 1, 1895, par. 5
“Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.” Do you believe that the Lord still moves upon men to speak as the Holy Ghost gives them utterance? Appreciate the blessing; let thanksgiving be offered to God. Gather up the precious light, and impart it to others. Study to devise ways and means of spreading the light. SSW June 1, 1895, par. 6