Jesus dicit

Word 161 of 491Calling

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

Matthew 10:8

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Freely received

Before Jesus sent his twelve disciples out into the villages, he gave them four short instructions: heal, raise, cleanse, set free. Straight after that he mentions the price: there isn't one. They were not to take gold or silver, and not to ask for money for what they themselves had simply been given.

The same idea is found in Jewish tradition. The Mishnah, an ancient collection of Jewish teachings, says: don't use the Torah, God's teaching, as a spade to dig with. Grace that you sell on is no longer grace. What you got for free, you pass on for free.

Question for today

What have I been given for free that I can pass on?

Prayer

Father, everything I have, I received from you. Make me generous, without expecting anything back. Amen.

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