Giving vs receiving

“Do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrew 13:16)

Recently I came across a devotional book where the author uses The Sea of Galilee and Dead Sea to illustrate two kinds of people living in this world.

The Sea of Galilee- water is fresh, fish is in it, trees spread along the banks, children playing along the shores. On the other hand, the Dead Sea – no splash of fish, no birds singing, no children’s laughter, no man or animal will drink the water.

Both the seas got their water from the same source- River Jordan. They received the same good water. The difference lies in that the Sea of Galilee receives but does not keep the water. It receives and gives the same amount. For Dead Sea, every drop it receives, it keeps it jealously. It gives nothing, that is why it is called the Dead Sea.

Which category of people we belonged to? We need to remind ourselves that if we only strive to receive but reluctant to give so that others may be blessed, we will end up like the Dead Sea, lifeless, joyless, and lonely.