It What?

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (Luke 6:38)

That’s the problem with taking a single verse and using it standing alone. It can be understood from the previous verses. Bro. Bob Gilbert pointed that out in one of his ‘AH-HA!!’ moments.

What was Jesus discussing just before this? Beginning with verse 20, we hear the beatitudes:

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. (Luke 6:20-23)

Compare those with Matthew’s in chapter 5, verses 3-12. Not just poor, but poor in spirit. Not just hunger, but hunger and thirst after righteousness. Remember, Matthew was there and inspired, Luke wasn’t there, was still inspired. They do not conflict, they complement each other. Jesus was teaching His disciples how to live, how to be examples to others.

Just before we get to the referenced ‘it’, Jesus speaks of judgment. One so many people use so others will not look upon their actions as being in error:

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (Luke 6:37)

The Greek translated ‘give’, δίδωμι, has many connotations as to handing something over to someone for their advantage. Goes much further than simply giving money. We talking ministering, according to Strong’s Number G1325. (If you don’t know what I mean by Strong’s numbers, visit the explanation on Wikipedia, then download KJV+  from e-Sword.net.) That gives a better understanding to the words chosen for each verse.

Here we have one short verse (37) that sounds very good standing alone. Same for the next (38) – put them together and the ‘it’ we might receive for doing what we’re supposed to do becomes doubly important. What we’re giving is ourselves – ministering to all. We’re not judging – triaging, deciding who is in greatest need – but responding to God’s call to provide what we’ve been given where He wants it provided.

How can we recognize callings versus the huge amount of needs we see each day? God determines that, we don’t. We hear His call when we’re close and listening to what He has for us as individuals. Only God can see to every need for every person. He knows where we are called and we must listen to His voice – not our own, not a loved one’s

We can’t hear Him if we’ve denied His existence. Take His word, as written:

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. (Psalms 119:105-106)