Luke 6:38 reads, “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” (NASB). Let’s dwell for a moment on that first word, GIVE. The Christian should be known as one who is constantly GIVING. We become a Christian when we, by faith, lay hold of the fact that God is a GIVING God. John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world, that He GAVE His only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” Love expresses itself in GIVING and Christians should emulate their heavenly Father by GIVING. This is implied in these precious words in Ephesians 5:1-2, “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and GIVEN Himself for us” (NKJV). Christ GAVE Himself for us and we, in turn, should be willing to GIVE ourselves for others. We may not be called upon to literally lay down our lives for others, but we should be willing to GIVE generously of our money, our time and our talents.

This verse promises us if we do GIVE, “it will be GIVEN to you.” What does that mean? This simply means that if we GIVE, we will RECEIVE. This principle is stated clearly in Galatians 6:7, “Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” Our verse goes on to say, “They will pour into your lap a good measure.” The Spirit of God is drawing a picture for us here, for the word “lap” (or “bosom” in the KJV) is literally, “a fold of a garment overhanging a girdle.” A farmer would use this “apron-like fold” in the front of his garment for carrying seed that he would be planting. The more seed the farmer planted; the more he would reap come harvest time. The object lesson is clear; the more we give, the more we will receive. Proverbs 11:25 speaks to this too, “The liberal soul shall be made fat.” We believe this is referring to blessings we’ll receive in this present life, as well as future rewards that will be given to us by our Lord Jesus at the Judgement Seat of Christ. The last part of our verse sums it up, “For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

I would like to offer a word of caution in closing. Our MOTIVE for giving should NOT be to receive a blessing. Our motive should be: 1) To bring satisfaction and glory to our blessed Savior; and 2) To be a channel of blessing to others. Luke 6:38 is given to us as an INCENTIVE for giving, but it is not the MOTIVE for giving.  (208.5)  (DO)