Lk 6:38   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."

    

Giving, or lack of it, is a good measure of a person's faith. Giving, or lack of it, is a good measure of how free and secure a person feels. If our lives are self-centred and we are insecure and unsure of God's love for us, we are likely to be non-givers. We will hold on to all we have. When we are utterly secure in God's love we will know that what we have is His good provision and if we give it away, He will still provide for us whatever we need.

 

This verse today declares that loud and clear! Give and it will be given to you. That is the simple, straight forward teaching that comes through Jesus. Our lives are to be like an ever restoring repository of provision. We give out and God re-supplies us. And if you still think God is a stingy giver, this verse challenges that: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. That speaks of abundance. This says God's supply will be plentiful. Manna in the Old Testament reminds us of that, the parable of the talents in the Gospels (Mt 25:14-29) also declares it.

But note Jesus expects us to ‘use' what we have, the implication being for the kingdom of God, to bless others. So, he says, the measure you bless others will be the measure you get. When you give out, God will provide back for you. None of us will ever find God in debt to us. He blesses in abundance. So  check it out today. Are you secure in God? Are you able to be a giver? Are you able to bless others as you reach out in love and meet their needs? 

These things are all linked. We may give out of legalistic fear, and I am sure many do, but Jesus is teaching that good giving can come out of the security of knowing that we are loved by God and He is a provider who doesn't hold back. In the awareness of this loving relationship with The Giver, we too can become givers and that happens when we realise the joy and wonder of this relationship.