“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.” (Lk. 6:38 NKJV)

Jesus requires us to give and what a wonderful requirement it is! There is great benefit in giving as we also will be the recipients of giving. Look at how Jesus described the gift:

• “good measure” indicates a proper proportion or quantity.
• “pressed down” and “shaken together” indicates that air has been sufficiently removed from the measuring container so as to only include what is being measured i.e., no wasted space!
• “running over” indicates that the gift is overflowing.
• All these statements show that the gift is liberal or generous.
• The giver’s bosom is a reference to a type of pocket or fold formed by a loose garment bound by a girdle or sash (cf. Ex. 4:6; Ps. 79:12; Pr. 6:27; Isa. 65:6-7).

The point? If I am liberal in giving, I can expect the same in return. On the contrary, if I am stingy, I can expect the same in return. This principle is stated well in 2 Cor. 9:6 as it relates to sowing, “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Cor. 9:6 NKJV). In the next verse it is connected with giving, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7 NKJV). When the seed is sown (given) into the ground bountifully (generously), then a bountiful harvest will be reaped. When the seed is sown (given) into the ground sparingly (stingily), then the harvest will be reaped sparingly.

In comparison to the seed God has given us, how are we doing in the sowing department? To state it another way, in comparison to the time, money, health, possessions, etc. God has given us, how are we doing in the giving department? “The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself” (Pr. 11:25 NKJV). Let us give!

Trent Thrasher

“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Lk. 16:13 NKJV)

The Greek word translated as “servant” in this passage (oiketes) denotes a household servant. That is very interesting as each member of the church is a member of God’s house i.e., His family (1 Tim. 3:15). Jesus says it is not possible to serve two masters. This makes sense as our allegiance would be divided to the point of hating the one and loving the other, or clinging to the one and despising [to think little or nothing of] the other. A house divided against a house falls (Lk. 11:17). Furthermore, God will not accept any position but first in our hearts (Lk. 10:27-28; cf. Ex. 20:3-6).

Jesus goes on to state that it is not possible to serve God and mammon [riches; treasure; wealth]. This statement is made at the end of the parable of the unjust steward (Lk. 16:1-12). When it comes to stewardship, our use of what God has entrusted us with is of critical importance. The details matter in faithfulness (Lk. 16:10). We never want to be guilty of wasting God’s goods (Lk. 16:1; cf. Mt. 25:14-30).

To encourage us to be good stewards and servants, consider a few passages:

• Redeem the time (Eph. 5:15-16; Col. 4:5)
• Sow bountifully and cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:6-8)
• Remember the poor (Gal. 2:10)
• Show mercy (Lk. 10:29-37)
• Stay humble (1 Pt. 5:5-7)
  

Trent Thrasher

Trent Thrasher

“For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.” (Ps. 1:6 NKJV)

It is a great comfort to know that God knows. He knows when we feed the hungry, when we give the thirsty drink, when we take in the stranger, when we clothe the naked, and visit those who are sick and in prison (Mt. 25:31-36). Indeed, the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD (Pr. 5:21). He sees the evil and the good (Pr. 15:3). God knows those that trust in Him (Nah. 1:7) and those that are His (2 Tim. 2:19).

God also knows the conduct of the ungodly which leads to definite destruction (Ps. 11:6). There is a way which seems right to a man but leads to death (Pr. 14:12, 16:25). May we allow God to be the One to direct our steps (Jer. 10:23), and as such to ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk (Jer. 6:16)!

God is always watching, so let us keep His precepts and testimonies (Ps. 119:168).

Trent Thrasher