Matt 10:8-9 Freely you have received,
freely give. NIV
You have probably heard this verse
before. It is often quoted, especially it seems, when preachers or pastors feel
the need to coerce people into parting with their hard earned dollars. That is
unfortunate. As with every verse quoted from the Bible, it is important to keep
it within it’s context so that it is not misused.
This particular verse comes from
Matthew 10. After going through several towns, preaching to people and healing
them from all sorts of maladies, Jesus felt compassion for the people. He said
they were like sheep without a shepherd. If you know anything about sheep, they
do not do well without their shepherd.
It was time for Jesus’ disciples to get
a foretaste of how He would be using them in the future. Jesus, knowing that
His human body was limited by time and space, had a plan to minister to more
people. He would give His disciples the power to do the works that He was
doing. He told them to go to the “lost sheep of Israel,” to heal the sick,
raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and drive out demons (v8). Quite a list!
That’s the context of the verse, so
what is Jesus really saying to them? What was given to them, that they should
be giving away freely to the lost sheep of Israel? We are told in verse 7 of
chapter ten. “As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'”
NIV
This message was specifically directed
to the children of Israel because they had long awaited a King. Their prophets
had spoken about a King who would assume the throne of David and that of His
rule there would be no end (Isa 9:6-7). Jesus wanted them to give this message
away. The Kingdom was near because the King was here! They had been partakers
of the blessings of the King for a while now. They had done nothing to earn
this blessing; it was Jesus who had called them. They had seen him do many
wonderful miracles, bringing blessing to all the people.
Jesus was also telling His disciples to
give out the same kinds of blessings and He was empowering them to do it. They
were to do the same works as He had been doing. Again, they had done nothing to
earn that ability so they were to freely give it out. That may sound strange,
but during that time there were many who would show demonstrations of power for
a price. Not much different than today, is it?
These same men, after Jesus died, was
resurrected and ascended into heaven, were empowered by the promised Holy
Spirit to do those same kinds of works and preach the “good news” of salvation
in Jesus Christ. It was entirely different from the message that they had heard
form their teachers of the law. They had been taught that their hope of being
in the eternal kingdom was through the righteousness of keeping the Mosaic Law.
That impossible task gave them no hope at all.
That good news message that the
disciples were to bring is one of salvation obtained by grace through faith (
Eph 2:8), which is freely given to anyone who would believe (put their trust)
in Jesus. (Jn 3:16).
So how should this verse speak to us
today? Very simply, we need to give away that same blessing. We have received
the free gift of eternal life from that very same King of Israel. He has called
us, we have responded to that call. He has empowered us as well to preach the
“good news.” You may not be called to be a preacher, but your life is a living
testimony to the work of the Living God! May your life reflect all that He is.
Jesus put it this way, Matt 5:13
"You are the salt of the earth; … and Matt 5:14 "You are the light of the world…
He expects us to “flavor” the world
with His love and be the “light” of His truth. Notice He says, “You are” not
“You should be.” The only question is, will we be “salty salt,” which brings
out the best flavor, or bland and tasteless, that which is of no use? Will we
be a “blazing light,” that attracts or a dim one that people will hardly
notice?
I pray that we, as believers will be
salty and that our lights shine in such a way before men, that they may see our
good works and glorify our Father in heaven. (Mt 5:14) Freely we have been
given, let us freely give!
God bless you
Coach
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