In my first year of...
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In my first year of seminary, I lived near my friend, Cornell. A couple times a week we'd
go out for a late snack. As it turned out, his bills were higher than mine, and I ended up
having more money than he did. When he'd resist my paying for his meals, I'd say, "It's
more blessed to give than to receive. Don't rob me of a blessing."
I made the mistake, however, of using that statement in a sermon during my third year of seminary. I'd just married and my wife and I were quite poor. Consequently, my friend, Ivan, took us out to dinner and insisted on paying. When I disagreed, he smiled, "What? Are you trying to rob me of a blessing?"
Jesus allows the Samaritan woman to do something for him and to give him what she has. Then he blesses her in a way she'd never expected.
I made the mistake, however, of using that statement in a sermon during my third year of seminary. I'd just married and my wife and I were quite poor. Consequently, my friend, Ivan, took us out to dinner and insisted on paying. When I disagreed, he smiled, "What? Are you trying to rob me of a blessing?"
Jesus allows the Samaritan woman to do something for him and to give him what she has. Then he blesses her in a way she'd never expected.
