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“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for [that which is] not bread? and your labour for [that which] satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye [that which is] good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.” Isaiah 55:1-2
I have discovered over the years of coaching and counseling many individuals from all walks of life regarding their health concerns, especially in the area of nutrition, that the majority of them are starving nutritionally on a full stomach. They were eating their quantity of foods but not quality foods. They were consuming empty calories foods with very low nutritional value. This type of eating produces various nutrition disorders and serious cravings for something more satisfying.
This reminds me of a conversation that several pastors were having concerning their members that were being drawing away from what the pastors were teaching them. These pastors took an attack position on those they felt were responsible for influencing their members. As I was sitting there in their midst, I kindly ask them "what kind of spiritual food are you feeding your flock?" Surprised at the question, they said "truth". At this point I shared with them an analogy comparing physical bread with spiritual bread. I stated if one would only eat fiberless bread or foods as opposed to high fiber bread and foods the result will always produce craving for more in order to be satisfied nutritionally. The body is being robbed and deprived of adequate nutrients thus leading the individual to compensate by eating foods that are detrimental to their physical health and well being.
Therefore, as it is in the physical area so it is in the spiritual. If the members are being fed fiber filled messages with substance such as complete victory over sin, practical preparation for the coming crisis, true form of worship, sacred music, health reform, dress reform and kindred subjects, then they will not look to be fed from someone else's table. Feed your flock with present truth and the starving and cravings will be remedied and your attacks will not be necessary for they are profitless in the first place. The following inspired comments summarize this position clearly.
There are men who stand in the pulpits as shepherds, professing to feed the flock, while the sheep are starving for the bread of life. There are long-drawn-out discourses, largely made up of the relation of anecdotes; but the hearts of the hearers are not touched. The feelings of some may be moved, they may shed a few tears, but their hearts are not broken. The Lord Jesus has been present when they have been presenting that which was called sermons, but their words were destitute of the dew and rain of heaven. They evidenced that the anointed ones described by Zechariah (see chapter 4) had not ministered to them that they might minister to others. When the anointed ones empty themselves through the golden pipes, the golden oil flows out of themselves into the golden bowls, to flow forth into the lamps, the churches. This is the work of every true, devoted servant of the living God. The Lord God of heaven cannot approve much that is brought into the pulpit by those who are professedly speaking the word of the Lord. They do not inculcate ideas that will be a blessing to those who hear. There is cheap, very cheap fodder placed before the people. {TM 336.3}
There are in this world hearts that are crying aloud for the living God. But helpless human nature has been fed with distasteful food; discourses dissatisfying to hungry, starving souls have been given in the churches. In these discourses there is not that divine manifestation that touches the mind and creates a glow in the soul; the hearers cannot say, "Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?" An abundance of chaff is given to the people, but this will not awaken the transgressor or convict souls of sin. The souls who come to hear need a plain, straightforward presentation of truth. Those who have tasted of the word of God have dwelt long in an atmosphere where there is no God, and they long for the divine presence. {TM 310.1}
Many ministers take their text from St. Paul and preach from the newspapers.--Flowery discourses will not be sufficient to feed the soul of the famishing child of God. The following desire will give a voice to the longing of many a heart that is fed on what are called "smart sermons." An intelligent man remarked, "O that my pastor would give me something besides pretty flowers, and brilliant periods, and intellectual treats! My soul is famishing for the Bread of Life. I long for something simple and nourishing and scriptural." Daniel Webster gave utterance to these forcible words: "If clergymen in our day would return to the simplicity of gospel truth, and preach more to individuals and less to the crowd, there would not be so much complaint of the decline of true religion. Many of the ministers of the present day take their text from St. Paul, and preach from the newspapers. When they do so, I prefer to enjoy my own thoughts, rather than listen. I want my pastor to come to me in the Spirit of the gospel, saying, `You are mortal. Your probation is brief, your work must be done speedily. . . . You are hastening to the bar of God. The Judge standeth before the door.'"--RH June 23, 1891. {PaM 188.1}
The Word of God declares in the book of Amos 8:11, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.”
Souls are starving for the bread of life, and unless God's chosen ones are faithful to their trust, these souls will perish. At the judgment bar of God we shall be called to account for every word we might have spoken but did not. Our lips need to be touched with a live coal from off the altar, that when the call comes, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" we may answer, "Here am I, Lord; send me." Chosen of God, and sealed with the blood of consecration, we are to stand pointing souls to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Then our words will no longer be cheap and meaningless; for Christ will speak through us. {RH, May 29, 1900 par. 9}
When Christ's ambassadors present the gospel in its simplicity, and the hearers respond to the word presented, nothing is more gratifying to the heart of Infinite Love than for these souls to come to him confessing their sins and giving expression to their faith; he delights to impart to them his righteousness. And angels rejoice when they see hearts opened to receive the communication of light and pardon and love. When thanksgiving arises from human hearts, heavenly beings take up the song of praise. The prophet Zephaniah represents the joy of Christ over the salvation of a lost soul: "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." {RH, May 29, 1900 par. 10}
Written by: Dr. Thomas Jackson, Director
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