Morning Devotional

April 18, 2004

"Kombucha"

by Don Emmitte

Home

Remember this--a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NLT).

Having a relatively obscure malady that affects my iron levels I have been the recipient of many “home remedies.” The most recent is “Kombucha.” It is an increasingly popular home-brewed unique tea, which has a reputation for being beneficial to your health. Brewing it is not be easy though, for unlike most store-bought teas you can simply purchase at the local grocery store, this drink must be passed on from a friend.

Kombucha is a beverage, which is typically made by fermenting common black tea and white sugar using a special Kombucha colony. It is this active culture, which is first needed before you can brew the tasty drink which some people compare to tart apple cider. The culture, however, may only be obtained and utilized while it is live, and since each time a batch of Kombucha tea is prepared it produces a new culture, you must first find someone who is willing to share their new culture so that you can then make your own tea.

I haven’t found any yet, though I have found a popular auction web site on the Internet that makes the claim to be bale to supply the culture. It seems there is a site with contact information on the Internet, which basically hooks up private Kombucha sellers with individual buyers. What intrigued me about the ad was that it stated she offered Kombucha cultures for free! In fact, several of the sellers made note that they were so blessed by the acclaimed health benefits of the exotic drink, giving away an active Kombucha culture to someone who needed one was their way of giving back to society.

I was somewhat suspicious, thinking that there must be some sort of catch as no one gives something for nothing these days. "The clincher must be in the shipping and handling," I thought. "They probably offer the product for free and then double up on the shipping expense!" That theory was proven wrong however when I was written me back saying there was no added or hidden costs, and any shipping charge would come out of her own pocket. Now I was really baffled! I know that Christ taught us about the beauty of giving and receiving with a cheerful heart, but I had never seen it applied in such a situation like this one. I received an email assuring me not to worry, that everything I would need to brew my first batch of Kombucha would also be included in the package.  

I haven’t written back yet, however I did begin to think of how great an illustration of the truth from our reading this morning this is! Not only does God encourage us to give cheerfully, but also he has already given to us such a great gift in Christ as an example. He gave us His Son so that we may have life more abundantly. He gave to us the ability to call out to Him for forgiveness, comfort, praise and salvation. His gifts are free, and the only price to pay is the simple peace and joy making Him a part of your life will offer your heart. Then we may give what we have freely to others! No shipping or handling charges!