Sunday, August 14, 2011

You May Give Without Loving, but You Cannot Love Without Giving.


 Mount Moriah Temple Mount Area in Jerusalem Today

Most authorities believe King David's Temple was built on Mount Moriah where Abraham was told to sacrifice Isaac.  But there's another Hebrew legend that presents a different story.

The legend says that two brothers lived on adjoining farms which were divided from the peak to the base of the mountain.  The younger brother lived alone, unmarried.  The older brother had a large family.

One night during grain harvest, the older brother awoke and thought, My brother is all alone.  To cheer his heart, I will take some of my sheaves and lay them on his side of the field.

At the same hour, the younger brother awoke and thought, My brother has a large family and greater needs than I do.  As he sleeps, I'll put some of my sheaves on his side of the field.  Each brother went out carrying sheaves to the other's field and met halfway.  When they declared their intentions to each other, they dropped their sheaves and embraced.  It is at that place, the legend claims, the Temple was built.

Whether this story is true or not, it exemplifies the best expression of love--giving.  Giving is one of life's best relation-builders.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

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