“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” – Luke 6:38, New Living Translation

Have you ever wondered why it is that the mere mention of that word sometimes stirs what appears to be a strong attitude of resentment with believers? How quickly they draw back, and offer excuses for holding on to what they have?

I’ve thought about it a number of times, and I believe I know the reason. I believe that, though they truly love the Lord with all their hearts, many believers don’t have a clear understanding of what the Bible teaches about giving. They don’t realize the impact this single act could have on their lives, and the kingdom of God, if, out of obedience to God and His Word, they started giving.

They don’t have that “cheerful giver” attitude that God speaks of in 2 Corinthians 9:7, where He says, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

God loves a cheerful giver. Not only that, but He has a reward for those who give out of the kindness of their hearts, and not reluctantly or in response to pressure. Luke 6:38, New Living Translation says, “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

 

Receive in Greater Measure

The Bible says whatever you give will be measured back to you based on the size of your giving. If you give sparingly, or in small amounts, then that’s what you can expect to receive in return — something small. However, if you give bountifully, the Bible says, you will reap bountifully, or in abundance.

I’m grateful for whatever blessings I receive from God. But when it comes to receiving a little versus receiving much, I’m going to do everything I can always to be on the receiving end of much. I’m sure most of you would, as well. Moreover, it’s not just so that I can have more for myself. No, that would be selfish. I desire to have more so that I can give more. I desire to be a blessing to the kingdom of God.

As believers, we have a command from God to take His Word and “give” it to anyone who will receive it. We’re to take the gospel to everyone, everywhere! Not just in one corner of the world here and to a few people in some small developing nation over there. No, He wants the gospel preached to everyone.

Not everyone is called to preach or evangelize. But giving is something we all can do, because God has blessed us to be able to give.

 

Giving With Joy

You may be wondering, How has God blessed me? I’m still having problems paying my bills. I still drive an old car, and I don’t know if I will ever own my own home.

Those things may be true. That may be where you are right now. But you certainly don’t have to stay there forever. Not when God has given you the formula for getting out of the rut you’re in and moving over into the blessed place He has established for you. He says, “Give, and give in such measure that when it comes back to you it will be so big you won’t have room enough to store it all.” The Lord also says, “I will take what you have and multiply it a thousand times” (Deuteronomy 1:11).

“But I don’t have much to give,” you might say.

Then give whatever you have. God will honor that. But here’s the key: Go back to what the Lord said in 2 Corinthians 9:7: “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

Give, and give cheerfully. Where you are right now has been determined by the measure of your giving. But where you will be in the future will also be determined by what you choose to give.

God desires to see you prosper and live an abundant life. It will happen when you make the decision to invoke the blessing of God’s Word in your life by giving.

 

Henry Fernandez is senior pastor of The Faith Center Ministries in Sunrise, Fla., and is author of the best-selling book, Faith, Family & Finances: Strong Foundations for a Better Life. For more information, go to www.henryfernandez.org or call 1-954-742-7832.