By Reverend J. Loren Russell
Luke 6:38 NKJV
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
This verse of scripture is often quoted at worship services when the offering is being taken. It is an encouragement to the giver to be generous in their giving, not only because it is the right thing to do, but because there is built-in reciprocity.
This text is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount where He gives instructions on how to live, and the things to avoid. In verse 20 -26, He shares the Beatitudes (blessings) and contrasts them to woes (miseries). Then, in verses 27-36, He instructs his disciples to love their enemies and do good to those who mistreat them. They may include those who “despitefully” use, mistreat, or physically strikes them. He was not just speaking to those in earshot, but to those of us who now have the Holy Writ.
Verse 37 is just as challenging as the previous verses. In this verse, we are instructed to judge not, condemn not, and to forgive. This challenged the disciples, and it challenges us. From the Beatitudes to the mandate to forgive, we still ponder how we can reach that level of spirituality and communion with the Lord.
When verse 38 is recited in the worship service, it may be out of context if it is read as a single, stand-alone text. It may give the impression that we can skip the other parts of the scripture and give from our financial abundance to satisfy Jesus’ directive on giving. While this text seems to direct that we give out of our abundance, the verses preceding it say it is out of our lack that we give most, i.e., from our lack of conscience by not judging others, and from our lack of compassion for others by loving everyone, even our enemies.
The ability to give is more than giving your financial resources. Giving is an all-inclusive edict that consist of everything we have. Luke 12:48 says, “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.”
We cannot forget that the more we have, the more is required of us. Because the Lord has already put in place the Law of Reciprocity, the more you pour out into others, the more will be poured back into you. You cannot give without getting, and “you can’t beat God giving, no matter how you try!” Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”
Take a real good look at your life, then ask yourself the question, “What can I give that will be a blessing to someone else?” Remember, “the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial Strategy & Consulting; an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx; creator & host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook LIVE and author of Matters of Faith: The Book (eBook available at Smashwords.com)
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