Category: Giving Generously

Luke 6:38 (LSB) 38 Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

When Jesus taught in parables, He was always careful to make sure He used examples that were relevant to the life that people were familiar with.

He wanted them to easily understand what He was saying so they could receive understanding from God’s Spirit.

Speaking in ways that were difficult for the people to understand would benefit no one. They would walk away as spiritually ignorant as they were prior to hearing Jesus teach.

The verse above is one that we frequently hear taught. It speaks directly about generosity. But Jesus used verbiage that the people could readily relate to and draw conclusions from.

Let’s break this down a bit so we can be sure to get a clear understanding of what Jesus said, and why He chose the words He used.

As Jesus taught them about giving, He used the phrase, “They will pour into your lap a good measure”, which may seem foreign to our modern-day minds. What does this mean?

This is a direct reference to the marketplaces of that time. Grain at that time was poured into containers. Long robes were used to carry any excess.

As grain was measured out, the receiving container was shaken as a means of causing the grain to settle, creating room for more grain. This guaranteed that the buyer was getting a “full measure” of what they were buying.

And they would often get extra to be sure they received their money’s worth.

Jesus used this familiar practice to teach the people about the importance of generosity, and giving liberally.

His primary message was that we receive by the same standard we use in our giving.

If we give little, we also receive little. But if we give much, we will be abundantly blessed by God for our generosity.

This is a spiritual principle put in place by God that He wants us to understand and to live by. It is not merely a suggestion, but a deep truth that has large ramifications.

So, let us develop understanding in this area and put it into practice in our daily lives. For with the measure we bless others, by that same measure will we too be blessed.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

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Isaiah 32:8 (NKJV) 8 But a generous man devises generous things, And by generosity he shall stand.

To devise means to use knowledge and imagination to think of or to plan something.

The generous man thinks about how and what he will do for others. Or he devises ways he can give to help organizations that help others.

Being generous is something that stands out and draws attention. Most people that are very generous don’t want any recognition regarding the things they do for others. They just want to do it and go unnoticed.

They mostly just want to see that happy smile and the joy that often shows up on the one that is getting help or on the receiving end.

That is a reward in and of itself. It brings great satisfaction and joy to the generous one that money or recognition could never provide.

Maybe we are not the type of person to give randomly, or at all. Can we learn to become generous?

Absolutely!

There are many ways we can start.

First and foremost, we should be very generous with our sowing to God. That is giving of what we earn.

After giving to Him from our firstfruits, if we still have excess that we wish to give, ask Him to show us other areas or ways to share in being generous with others.

If we are serious in wanting to be generous, He will provide ways of being able to give.

Proverbs 11:25 (NKJV) 25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

We can enjoy the blessings that we will reap as we are faithful in being generous and doing it with the right heart.

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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