How to make stone soup …

You might be familiar with Aesop’s fables, but you may not have heard this story credited to the fifth century story teller …

Long ago three soldiers, hungry and weary of battle, came upon a small village. The villagers, suffering a meager harvest and the many years of war, quickly hid what little they had to eat and met the three at the village square, wringing their hands and bemoaning the lack of anything to eat.

The soldiers spoke quietly among themselves and the first soldier then turned to the village elders. “Your tired fields have left you nothing to share, so we will share what little we have: the secret of how to make soup from stones.”

Naturally the villagers were intrigued and soon a fire was put to the town’s greatest kettle as the soldiers dropped in three smooth stones. “Now this will be a fine soup,” said the second soldier, “but a pinch of salt and some parsley would make it wonderful!”

Up jumped a villager, crying, “What luck! I’ve just remembered where some has been left!” and off she ran, returning with an apronful of parsley and a turnip. As the kettle boiled on, the memory of the village improved; soon barley, carrots, beef and cream had found their way into the great pot, and a cask of wine was rolled into the square as all sat down to feast.

They ate and danced and sang well into the night, refreshed by the feast and their new-found friends. In the morning the three soldiers awoke to find the entire village standing before them. At their feet lay a satchel of the village’s best breads and cheese.

“You have given us the greatest of gifts: the secret of how to make soup from stones,” said an elder, “and we shall never forget.”

The third soldier turned to the crowd, and said, “There is no secret, but this is certain: it is only by sharing that we may make a feast.” And off the soldiers wandered down the road.

Life is richer when we share our blessings with others, something the early church understood and practiced:

“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved,” Acts 2:42-47.

This example of shared blessing isn’t something just for the early church, or the thing of fables. It’s something the Bible encourages from each of us:

“And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God,” Hebrews 13:16.

“Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others,” 1 Timothy 6:18.

“John replied, ‘If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry,'” Luke 3:11.

“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back,” Luke 6:38.

Isn’t it time to make some stone soup?

Scotty