Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38 I have concluded from this verse that giving is not to be willy-nilly. It is not like “spin the bottle”, “Bingo” or even anything akin to “the Texas-Loto”. (the latter have the fabulous 14 million to one odds). There is a plan here. Charity or giving to others, has to start somewhere. The responsibility for those in need begins with a believer in Christ. It is human nature to always be waiting for someone else to start the ball rolling. Jesus does not want any confusion on the issue. He teaches us that giving always starts with us. Notice the chain of events here as outlined by our Lord. It is always God’s plan to start the blessing cycle with us our gift first. It is only after our initial endowment does the cause and effect action truly start to take place in our lives. After we start to turn loose and give is the road to blessing finally cleared for us. For some reason this is the secret that most people miss for our lives. Martin Luther said, “I have tried to keep things in my hands and lost them all, but what I have given into God’s hands I still possess.” It is a paradox that when we finally let go of what God has given us does God start to bless and really start giving to us at all. So how much is this return giving? What is the dividend? “Pressed down” and “shaken together” into your bosom. (eis ton kolpon humōn). This Greek phrase refers to the fold of the wide upper garment worn in Jesus day. This binding made a pocket that workmen would often use to store things from the field as they were being gathered. It was very common to do this. (Exodus 4:6; Proverbs 6:27; Psalm 79:12; Isaiah 65:6.; Jeremiah 32:18). The prophet Isaiah tells his listeners “I will measure their former work unto their bosom.” Isaiah 65:7. God will give you more than you initially gave. There is no other way to understand this. What shall we expect in return? There is an exchange in kind that will take place. The basic principle that Jesus is teaching is that if you want to change what you are getting then we must begin by changing what you are giving. If you want love you must give love. If you want blessings you must give blessings. (This should include but not limited to goods, services, resources, time, energy, commitment or whatever it is that we believe would give God the greatest glory. The Lord assures that with the biblically based promise, “Whatever man sows that will he also reap. (Gal. 6:6,7) Whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully, but if we sow sparingly….. When does this happen? Yesterday? No, but it “shall be measured to you again” (antimetrethesetai). Future passive indicative of a verb only used here only in the New Testament. The preposition “anti” has a common meaning of “in turn” or “back”, in other words something “measured back to you”. It is something done in the future but it will certainly be done none the less. It is no incidental thing to talk about giving. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke 1 out of every 6 verses deals with money. Of the 29 parables Christ told, 16 deal with a person and his money. Give of your monetary resources or they may end up controlling you and your heart. Many of us do not give because we are afraid of losing the little resources we have. On the other hand, Jesus assures us that whatever we have belongs to Him anyway. If we give it away He guarantees that He will replace it with everything that He has in His bank in heaven. I have seen the annual report. It is better guarantee than the FDIC. It is a winner. They are His riches glory. I appreciate your comments, suggestions and even your disagreements. Please “Share” these thoughts with your friends if you feel they are important or have been a blessing.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Jun 2013 19:18:31 +0000
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