Two seas

There are two seas in Palestine. One is fresh and fish are in it. Trees spread their branches over it and their thirsty roots sip up its healing waters. Along its shore children play. Jesus loved it. He loved the children who played there. He looked across its silver surface when he spoke his parables. And on a rolling hill not far away he fed five thousand people.
The River Jordan makes this sea from the sparkling water from the hills. Men build their houses near it and every kind of life is happier because it is there.
The River Jordan flows on south into another sea. Here is no splash of fish, no fluttering leaf, no children's laughter. Travelers choose another route unless on urgent business The air hangs heavy above its waters. The water is not fit to drink.
What makes the difference? Not the River Jordan. It empties the same good water into both. The soil does not make the difference, nor the country round about. This is the difference. The Sea of Galilee receives but does not keep the Jordan. For every drop that flows into it another flows out. The other sea hoards its waters. It will not be tempted into generous impulse. Every drop it gets, it keeps.
The Sea of Galilee gives and lives. The other sea gives nothing. It is the Dead Sea.
There are two seas in Palestine. There are two kinds of people in the world. If one gives freely of his resources, whatever they are, they will be replaced by the resources that come back. One cannot share unless there is something to share.