“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, NIV84)

Because we are a fallen people, there exists a tension within our understanding of God’s place in the things of this world. We tend to live as though God has no place in those things. We work and play feeling full well that we are living in the fruits of our own accomplishments. When we are forced to consider the idea of giving, we immediately think in terms of “mine” and “yours.” So, in life and in business we cheat things to our favor so that we never give anything that’s “ours” away. Jesus confronts us in these verses to consider whether our initial presupposition is true. Are things ever really ours? Or, are they always God’s and He allows us to use His things? The Bible clearly teaches that we are simply stewards of the stuff God has given us. God desires that we use the stuff He gives to glorify Him and further His kingdom. He calls us to give as freely as we have been given to. Why?  Because it makes a difference! Because it will affect the world around us.

When others see that we treat what we have as gifts from God and that we give to others as freely as God has given to us, they get a glimpse into the heart of God. They see and taste the grace of God through the way we use the stuff God entrusts to our care. And this also has an effect on us. We are constantly reminded that God is the giver of all good gifts, that we can trust in His divine providence. We can be certain that God can and will multiply our receiving and giving because He is a God who desires to bless and to give.

Today, let’s not falsely live as though what we have is ours to control and to save. Let’s see what we have as a gift from God that, as we share it with others, God works to replenish.  “A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, poured into your lap.”

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church