If you know what a prosperity preacher is, you'll be familiar with this verse. It's about how God returns to us fivefold what we give to him. A common moment in a gathering when this verse is read out, is when the collection is taken, where those attending are invited to contribute financially to preacher's own ministry! Here it is:
"give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap.
For the measure you use it will be measured back to you" (Luke 6:38).
I love this verse, as it tells us about how generous God is to us, beyond all we can ask or imagine. It takes the picture of buying a dry measure of grain at a market, when it was measured out in a jug or large cup as a portion. The portion would simply be scooped from a large basket of grain and levelled off for an honest measure. It could also be generously pressed, shaken, with more being added, before pouring into the apron of the person purchasing it. Some sellers however, would use a smaller container in order to cheat people (Amos 8:5).
Without any doubt, it is true that we can experience God's generous provision when we give to the needy first. But what is God actually asking of us here, when he tells us to give? If we read the beginning of the statement that Jesus has made, he says "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. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use it will be measured back to you" (Luke 6:37-38).
Is Jesus talking about not judging others then? Judgement is everywhere, I only have to go on to social media for a few minutes before I come across judgemental attitudes. People appear to have the freedom to type words they would never say out loud, but this still reveals what's in a person's heart. When we judge others we are cheating them of the value that we should be giving them. It's likely that we've probably misunderstood them too. This injustice does not go unnoticed by God. Those who are quick and harsh to judge will receive a return in kind from God the Almighty. Those who withhold grace from others can expect the same treatment from the loving Father of Lights.
Knowing the human heart, Jesus instructed us to ask him not only to "forgive us our sins," but also to "forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us" (Luke 11:4). It's a requirement when asking for forgiveness from God to apply the same measure of forgiveness to ourselves that we mete out to others. If we are withholding forgiveness from others, should we not also expect God to withhold forgiveness from us?
Generosity is something that begins in the heart and has another name, "grace." It's a gift that we have received in abundant measure from God. Grace is the undeserved favour of God. It is lovingkindness. Putting ourselves in the place of the person being judged. As the people of God, God calls us to be marked by grace and to generously give this gift to others rather than judging them. Does this mean that we cannot correct another person? We absolutely can, but with the tools of grace and not judgement. God is our only judge. We are not called to judge or condemn others! Continuing on with what Jesus said about judging, he says "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye, and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye" (Matt 7:3-5).
Let that sink in. We're only called to judge ourselves. And then after humbling ourselves through a process of self-examination and turning from our own failures, we can then offer the gift of grace to others. Remember, the measure of judgementalism that we use to others will be used on us! So if we give with grace, God will give to us, a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.
This is worth remembering this when judgement begins to stir in our hearts towards another person. When you're finding it hard to forgive someone, be reminded that God generously blesses our grace, rather than our judgement.
If you were inspired by this blog, Paul has written some devotional books and resources for young people. They are available to purchase on Amazon. Paul studied at Moorlands College for his BA in Applied Theology, and more recently has earned an MA in The Bible and Ministry in the Contemporary world at Belfast Bible College. Paul has served as a Youth Pastor for over 20 years.
Photo of gift by Towfiqu Barbhuiya on Unsplash
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