Give to Get
Scripture
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.
Observation
The crowds have begun to follow Jesus. They come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. No one had ever seen anything like this - He healed everyone who touched him! Nor had they ever heard teaching like this, Jesus telling them how to live talking about the way God is.
Jesus tells us generosity is returned in full. The more we give, the more we will receive. That’s the way God works. While we were still sinners, God loved us so much that He gave His Son to die for us. That is ultimate generosity!
I am the recipient of God’s generosity, able to be in restored relationship with Him. Me living in relationship with Him returns His generosity to Him.
Application
The first sin was about taking, a selfish act to take something that had not been given. And selfishness, what’s in it for me, has dominated our world ever since.
Yet, giving and receiving is one of the laws of the universe, as valid as the law of gravity. Jesus is clear - giving a little returns a little; giving much returns much. The more I give, the more I will receive.
The sequence is significant! It is not receive then give. It is give, and you will receive. Giving generously expresses trust in God, opening the door to His generous blessing.
Prayer
Lord, give me a generous heart, one like your’s. Open my eyes to see opportunities to be generous each day, not only with resources but also your love flowing through me.
Created over 1 year ago
