The Bible teaches:
Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. (Ecclesiastes 11:1)
This means that we should serve others without expecting any immediate reward. Eventually, we will receive blessings.
As Melvin J. Ballard said “A person cannot give a crust to the Lord without receiving a loaf in return.”
* * *
Jesus similarly taught in the Sermon on the Mount:
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
(Matthew 6:19-21)
* * *
Alma taught his son Corianton:
Therefore, my son, see that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye shall have justice restored unto you again; ye shall have a righteous judgment restored unto you again; and ye shall have good rewarded unto you again.
For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth the sinner, and justifieth him not at all.
(Alma 41:14-15)
* * *
Marvin J. Ashton told the story of a young idealist who had a dream one night. He dreamed there was a new store nearby.
He went in and saw an angel behind a counter. Nervously, he asked what the shop sold.
“Everything your heart desires,” replied the angel.
“Then I want peace on earth,” exclaimed the idealist. “I want an end to famine, sorrow, and disease.”
“Just a moment,” replied the angel. “You haven’t understood. We don’t sell fruit here – only seeds.”
* * *
The author Robert Louis Stevenson said, “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.”
* * *
I know that many people in the world live in distressing poverty. But the Bible teaches that even the widow can contribute her mite. (Luke 21:1-4)
The Bible also tells the story of a widow in Zarephath. She gave her last morsel of bread to the prophet Elijah. As a result, the Lord blessed her with food many days thereafter. (1 Kings 17)
Even people with absolutely nothing can still serve others by praying for them or by giving them a friendly smile or a listening ear.
A lame beggar at the temple in Jerusalem asked the apostles Peter and John for alms. Peter replied “silver and gold have I none.” But he prayed that the beggar would be healed. (Acts 3)
* * *
What you send out – comes back.
What you sow – you reap.
What you give – you get.
What you see in others – exists in you.
Remember, Life is an Echo.
It always gets back to you.
* * *
May the Lord bless you,
Tom Irvine