HOST: Michael Whitworth
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
It was not uncommon in the first-century world that, as one went to the market place to buy a measure of wheat, he would be short-changed by the merchant receiving a lesser amount than the full measure desired and paid for. Jesus uses this well-known occurrence to describe God’s generosity toward us and the generosity that we are to have toward others. When God gives a blessing, He gives a “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.” We can envision, in these words, the fair-minded merchant measuring out the portion of grain, pressing and shaking down the contents to make sure that all the air pockets are removed, and every corner and crevice of the vessel is filled, even to the point of overflowing the container. That is the way God gives to us. He gives generously, abundantly, fully. But in return, God asks that we give to Him and to others in the same way, not skimpily or with hesitation, but that we give with a generous and joyful heart. May we always be thankful to God for His generous blessings, and may we strive to be like Him in our own giving.
Why is it important how we give to God?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!
