“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 NLT
Many of the folks in the Bible worked hard managing livestock, planting and raising crops, and then harvesting the crops planted. The concept of placing a seed in the ground, watering and waiting for that seed to grow, then harvesting its yield was necessary for survival. In fact, many of the teachings of Jesus had something to do with farming. Today’s verse is no different. It implies so much more than just a financial suggestion; it’s a way of life!
We are called to be generous. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.’” Being generous means not just giving, but giving with joy and purpose. We are happy to give because our hearts are warm with the love of Jesus, who has given us everything. 1 John 3:17 says, “If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?”
Throughout the New Testament, we find a fundamental concept when it comes to living out our faith. Some call it the “law of the farm,” “reciprocity,” or the “Golden Rule.” The law of the farm says, “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.” (Galatians 6:7)
As we have seen in today’s verse, the law of reciprocity says, “Give, and you will receive…” (Luke 6:38)
Finally, the Golden Rule teaches, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you…” (Matthew 7:12)
All Christians are called by God to be generous, kind, peaceful people who willingly invest in the Kingdom of God. Whether we are giving money, time, service, talent, prayer, or meeting a tangible need, the same rule applies: No investment, no return!
Matthew 6:19-21 reminds us, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there, the desires of your heart will also be.”
I don’t know about you, but I want to cultivate a heart of generosity. Let’s make sure we’re investing in things that matter so that our return on our investment will further the Kingdom of God.
Dig Deeper:
- How does giving grow our faith?
- How can you be generous with what you’ve been given this week?
