Mike Focht 8/15/2025
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.
Luke 6:38
Typically, when we think about giving, it is in the context of money or material goods. Now, the Scriptures have plenty to say about giving our material goods, and that type of giving should be cheerful, abundant, and sacrificial. Paul gives clear instruction to Timothy on how that young minister should instruct the rich in this world saying: Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
But here in Luke, Jesus is speaking about giving differently. He is speaking about giving mercy and forgiveness. Christ is speaking about more than giving money. He is encouraging us to be givers and not just to give. Not everyone will be rich in this world with material goods, but everyone is still called to be a giver.
Interestingly enough, the first time the Greek word for give is used in the New Testament is in Matthew 4:9, where Satan says: All these things I will give You if You fall down and worship me. Satan gives, but he is no giver. All his giving has strings attached. He gives only to benefit himself. Be alert and wary of Satan’s gifts! We must not fall into the temptation of giving in a satanic manner—giving to seek our own benefit.
Christ shows us the opposite. He gives Himself in love. The Father so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Paul exhorts us to walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us. Jesus even encourages all saints to come to God day by day and implore Him for our needs because He is a Giver: Give us this day our daily bread. You and I are called to live out the giving nature of our God by the very Spirit of God. The Spirit He has promised as a gift to us. God is so much more ready to give than we are ready to receive!
That being the case, do not feel your giving is less important because you are not rich in this world’s goods. The most important thing about giving is to become a giver like our good God. Christians have embodied this life in so many ways. Martyrs have given their very blood. Ministers and missionaries of all kinds have given up families, friends, homes, comfortable lifestyles, and worldly recognition. Wives and mothers give of themselves constantly, day by day, week by week, and year by year. God is in charge of what we have to give. You and I are responsible for taking what we have in daily opportunities and using those opportunities to become giving people. What have you been given by God? Give back to Him and others. Becoming a giver pleases God because that is who He is and who He will always be. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation of shadow of turning.
The perfect Giver Himself commands us to give and promises such incredible promises in response. All those who know the truth will gladly obey His voice and testify that it is by living as a giver and not as a getter that they have found life pressed down, shaken together, and running over.