"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)
We all know and love this scripture. I cannot even count the number of sermons I have heard using this verse. This passage is a particular favorite when someone is encouraging people to give in a special offering (Faith Promise, anyone??). I mean, what's not to like?? Give - and it will be given! But not just any ole "given". God is going to press it down, shake it together, and fill it to overflowing! And whatever measure you use, be it big or small, that's the same measure He will give it back to you.
Awesome promise!
However, this past Sunday, my husband reminded us that scripture is clarified by reading the CONTEXT of the verse. Hmm. Okay.
Back up to verse 37:
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."
Oh, wow!
That puts a whole new light on "give and it shall be given", doesn't it? If you back up even farther you find scriptures that say things like "love your enemies" and "bless those who curse you" and "be merciful". And if you continue to read, you find the wonderful "plank" and "sawdust" passage. But that is a whole 'nuther blog. *smiles*
So, do you want mercy? Then GIVE and it shall be GIVEN to you.
Do you want love? Give and it shall be given.
Do you want forgiveness? Show forgiveness to others.
Do to others as you would have them do to you. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
1 comments:
Wow! Paula, this is powerful!!!!!
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