“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure – pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return” (Luke 6:38).
Hey Gang: In our work
with children and families Galatians has always been a key in opening the door
to the truth of the Word. Paul wrote, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for
whatever a man sows, this he will reap” (Gal. 6:7).
Now, one does not have to be an Einstein to see the truth in
Paul’s words. If I fill my body with rot
gut, I will, one day, pay the Piper for my indiscretion. If I lie and cheat, then one day need the
help from those I lied to and cheated, my chances of getting help is very
slim. It was very easy for me to share
this irrevocable law of God with our youth and families for their lives, at
that moment, were living examples of this principle.
Paul goes on and tells us we have a choice: Sow to the flesh
and reap the dividends of the flesh or sow to the spirit, which kicks into
effect another irrevocable law, “We will reap dividends in the same measure
that we give”.
Luke gives us the second step to what I call “The Seed
Planting Principles”: “Give, which
is followed with a promise “and it will
be given to you”. How much? A whole barn full – “…it will pour out into your lap”.
Now, look at the next phrase and
notice who controls the giving! “By your standard of measure, it will be
measured to you.”
Paul addressed this issue once again in his second letter to
the Corinthian’s: “Now
this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows
bountifully will also reap bountifully, each one must do just as he has
purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a
cheerful giver” (9:6).
Wait, don’t move on yet.
Paul gives us the really-good news of a healthy giving attitude in the
next verse, “And God is able to make all
grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you
may have an abundance for every good deed.”
Is Paul saying we have control of the harvest? It sounds that way and it is not restricted
to giving. Matthew 7:1-2 tells us the
principle applies to judging; and in Romans 12:3, faith. The one that might hit our hot button in this
age of electronic devices is given to us by Mark: “Take care what you listen to.
By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will
given you besides” (4:24).
So, my friends, would you listen to an older- than-dirt,
grey-haired man? I have heard it said
that we are not to test God but Malachi 3:10 tells me: “Bring it all into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My
house, and test Me now in this.” Now
notice the fringe package that goes with this command from the Throne Room: “Then, I will rebuke the devourer for you”.
Is that not an awesome promise in this day when everything
that can be shaken is being shaken?
Blessings,
Gramps
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