Chapter 297—Helping Others
He that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Proverbs 11:25
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Christ presents to us who are athirst the water of life, that we may drink
freely; when we do this we have Christ within us as a well of water springing
up into everlasting life. Then our words are full of moisture. We are prepared
to water others.
No sooner does one come to Christ, than there is born in his heart a desire
to make known to others what a precious friend he has found in Jesus; the
saving and sanctifying truth cannot be shut up in his heart. If we are clothed
with the righteousness of Christ, and are filled with the joy of His indwelling
Spirit, we shall not be able to hold our peace. If we have tasted and seen that
the Lord is good, we shall have something to tell....
And the effort to bless others will react in blessings upon ourselves. This
was the purpose of God in giving us a part to act in the plan of redemption....
If you will go to work as Christ designs that His disciples shall, and win
souls for Him, you will feel the need of a deeper experience and a greater
knowledge in divine things, and will hunger and thirst after righteousness.
You will plead with God, and your faith will be strengthened, and your soul
will drink deeper drafts at the well of salvation. Encountering opposition and
trials will drive you to the Bible and prayer. You will grow in grace and the
knowledge of Christ, and will develop a rich experience.
The spirit of unselfish labor for others gives depth, stability, and Christlike
loveliness to the character, and brings peace and happiness to its possessor.
The aspirations are elevated. There is no room for sloth or selfishness. Those
who thus exercise the Christian graces will grow, and will become strong to
work for God. They will have clear spiritual perceptions, a steady, growing
faith, and an increased power in prayer. The Spirit of God, moving upon
their spirit, calls forth the sacred harmonies of the soul, in answer to the
divine touch. Those who thus devote themselves to unselfish effort for the
good of others, are most surely working out their own salvation. The only
way to grow in grace is ... to engage, to the extent of our ability, in helping
and blessing those who need the help we can give them.
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