Session 11

Freely You Have Received, Freely Give

From The Blessed Life

God’s gifts to us come in all types of packages – many visible, most not. They arrive as basic material needs, such as clothes and food. He gives us intangible spiritual treasures,
such as love and truth. As infants, we receive incredible birthday presents from sight to movement. The list of God’s gifts is inexhaustible. James 1:17 tell us that every good thing
we possess has come special delivery from God.

In Matthew 10, Jesus sent His disciples to preach the gospel. He gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and heal every disease and sickness. He said, “As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead…drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

Verse 8 contains a basic biblical principle for a blessed life. Whatever God has given us will be used for His glory when we freely give it back to Him for others’ benefit. As with the first disciples, God has given us the message of the gospel to share. As we do, we have the authority to be conduits of healing and blessing every day. God’s Spirit inhabits us. He is perfect love, joy, peace, patience and kindness, and those things are ours when we yield to Him. We received these blessings freely, and freely we must give them away.

So what gifts has God given you? Ask God to tell you how, where and to whom you can freely give them away. As you use them to serve others, you will experience the blessed life.