WHEN YOU GIVE TO GOD, YOU DISCOVER THAT GOD GIVES TO YOU

“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.

In Luke 6:38,  Jesus expands the principle of “give and it will be given unto you.” He teaches that a generous man or unselfish woman will not only benefit from the generosity and graciousness of others, but “Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap.”

To understand what Jesus meant by His statement, we need to first understand the context in which He said it. Jesus is describing a situation that took place every time a person went to market. It is so different from today because when we go to Publix or Winn Dixie almost everything we buy is already measured, sealed, and wrapped with shrink wrap. It’s also labeled on the outside “Contents sold by weight, not by volume.” But in Jesus’ day, grain was sold by volume, not by weight. That’s why the verse mentions that the grain was pressed down and shaken together.

With that as background, we may ask the simple question: What precisely is Jesus teaching us here about Christian giving? There are two simple answers to that question: 1. When you give, God gives back to you. 2. God uses the same measure you use. Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

The Bible encourages us to be givers. And the awesome part about being a giver is that God rewards those who give. Here is a short list of God’s gifts: victory, peace, hope, life, success, what is good, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, strength, health, discretion, wealth, honor, power, love, a heart to know him, eternal life, living water, all things, and the glory of heaven.

Philippians 4:19 says, “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” This verse is a promise that God will never forsake those who seek Him. He will provide for our financial, physical, and spiritual needs. One special meaning in this verse also has to do with God’s desire to reward us for our hard work. When we are generous in our giving of finances, talents, and our time for God’s kingdom, God delights in being even more generous to us than we are to Him. We can’t out-give God!

No one is more generous than God. He’s the greatest giver of all time. And we should acknowledge that fact every day.

Discussion Questions:

1. Can you remember a time when your resources were very limited, and God provided for you?
2. Read through Psalm 103 and make it personal. Remember all the good things God has done for you. Worship Him as you read the Psalm.