There is an old folk song* about a thirsty traveler who comes across a pump in the desert.
An attached note explains that there is a jar of water buried nearby to prime the pump.
You’ve got to give before you get, the note says.
It’s up to the traveler to decide whether to drink the water from the jar, or take a chance that the small amount of water invested and the effort required to dig it up will result in an unlimited supply of cold, clear water.
So it is with going the extra mile. You have to give before you get.
You cannot expect to receive generous rewards and then decide what to give in return. You must give freely and have faith that the rewards will eventually come.
The farmer must plant and wait for the harvest. A fisherman must bait his hook or cast his net. Even the hunter must expend time and effort searching out his prey.
A clergyman, Frank Crain said, “You may be deceived if you trust too much, but you will live in torment if you do not trust enough.”
When you start giving out, you’ll soon begin taking in.
*Lyrics to Desert Pete
by the Kingston Trio
I was travelin’ West of Buckskin on my way to a cattle run,
‘cross a little cactus desert under a hot blistering sun.
I was thirsty down to my toenails, stopped to rest me on a stump,
but I tell ya I just couldn’t believe it when I saw that water pump.
I took it to be a mirage at first. It’ll fool a thirsty man.
Then I saw a note stuck in a bakin’ powder can.
“This pump is old,” the note began, “but she works, so give’er a try.
I put a new sucker washer in ‘er, you may find the leather dry.
You’ve got to prime the pump. You must have faith and believe.
You’ve got to give of yourself ‘fore you’re worthy to receive.
Drink all the water you can hold. Wash your face cool your feet.
Leave the bottle full for others. Thank you kindly, Desert Pete.
Yeah, you’ll have to prime the pump, work that handle like there’s a fire.
Under the rock you’ll find some water left there in a bitter’s jar.
Now there’s just enough to prime it with, so don’t you go drinkin’ first.
Just pour it in and pump like mad and, buddy, you’ll quench your thirst.
You’ve got to prime the pump. You must have faith and believe.
You’ve got to give of yourself ‘fore you’re worthy to receive.
Drink all the water you can hold. Wash your face cool your feet.
Leave the bottle full for others. Thank you kindly, Desert Pete.
Well, I found the jar, and I tell you, nothin’ was ever prettier to my eye
and I was tempted strong to drink it ’cause that pump looked mighty dry.
But the note went on, “Have faith, my friend, there’s water down below.
You’ve got to give to really get. I’m the one who ought to know.”
So I poured in the jar and started pumpin’ and I heard a beautiful sound
of water bubblin’ ‘n’ splashin’ up out of that hole in the ground.
Then I took off my shoes and drunk my fill of that cold refreshin’ treat.
I thanked the Lord, and I thanked the pump, and I thanked old Desert Pete.
You’ve got to prime the pump. You must have faith and believe.
You’ve got to give of yourself ‘fore you’re worthy to receive.
Drink all the water you can hold. Wash your face cool your feet.
Leave the bottle full for others. Thank you kindly, Desert Pete.
Drink all the water you can hold. Wash your face cool your feet.
Leave the bottle full for others. Thank you kindly, Desert Pete.