Feel in Your Pockets
Feeling sympathy is not enough; true compassion requires practical help and sacrifice.
A neighbor heard that a poor woman was reduced to extreme poverty by the loss of her cow, which was her only means of support. He was personally unable to replace the cow for the poor woman, so he went around soliciting funds. Each neighbor offered sorrow and regret, but none practical assistance. He became impatient, and after being answered as usual by a plentiful shower of feeling, exclaimed. "Oh, yes! I don't doubt your feeling; but you don't feel in the right place." "Oh," said one, "I feel with all my heart and soul." "Yes, yes," replied the solicitor, "I don't doubt that either; but I want you to feel in your pocket." If we can feel in our pockets but don't, we commit sin. The Constant Dissenter We read about a church which was calling a new pastor. There were only a few negative votes, the great majority being in favor of the nominee. A gracious member of the minority moved to make the choice unanimous. But one man in that minority, a stern old Scotchman, was by no means disposed to make any such soft surrender of opinion, and he wasted no words. His ultimatum was quick and straight: "There is one thing ye might as well understand right here and now. I'll let you know there'll never be anything unanimous in this church as long as I am in it." No Trespassing In olden times gardens used to be enclosed. In Palestine every garden was enclosed by a wall-as was Gethsemane-or by a prickly hedge. "A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse" (Son_4:12). To separate one's garden plot from the open field and shield it from harm was always the gardener's first care. Man in his sinful condition also shuts himself in. He discourages others from entering his property. He is afraid they will harm him. But Christ has commissioned His followers to plant the seed of the gospel and to water it in the hearts of men. This Wonderfully Made Body Of course, the body compels a great deal of admiration as the farmer cannot help admiring the smooth shiny seeds from which a beautiful field of wheat will one day emerge. If you fully understand what is in your body, how intricate, how methodical all its functions are, you cannot help but admire and honor it. You could not possibly create such a masterpiece. Scientists may make a living virus, but that's far from constructing a whole living body. But this wonderfully made body has been corrupted by your sin and mine. We have caused corruptibility to enter the cosmos, which includes our bodies.