“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 (NLT)
The first time I heard the song You Get What You Give by the alternative rock band New Radicals, I immediately went to the music store at the mall and bought the CD. I loved the energy and the catchy lyrics! Surely there would be more great hits on this album!
Except there wasn’t. The remaining songs could best be described as the final horrifying moments of a dying elephant being devoured by lions. In other words, the New Radicals lied to me. What I gave didn’t correlate with what I got in return. Interestingly enough, that band would dissolve not even a year later, instantly propelling them to the top echelons of the one-hit-wonder genre.
We often hear society say things like, “Life is what you make of it” and “What you put into it is what you’ll get out of it.” And there’s obviously a small bit of truth to those old adages. But what we often fail to remember is that our investment doesn’t always produce an immediate return. Sometimes it takes years and years of continuous investment without seeing the reward, and those of us accustomed to seeking instant gratification are likewise quick to become utterly frustrated.
Some of us with children are especially familiar with this idea of delayed gratification. Although we consider raising them a labor of love, it is a laborious commitment nevertheless. And not that we’re not rewarded along the way… but there is a certain reward when they’re grown and we see them happily pursuing their own plans and dreams.
None of that happens without our willingness to give. And not to merely give with the expectation of getting something in return, but to give freely from the heart. This was the kind of giving that Jesus spoke so often about. Like forgiving our brothers when they hurt us by offering them mercy and grace; by overlooking those small things that tend to irk us and showing kindness and compassion; with giving our time and attention to those who need our advice or encouragement with a problem, or just to lend a willing ear to listen. And obviously the material giving of food, money, clothing, shelter and provisions to those in dire need. Jesus especially had a place in his heart for orphans and widows and little children.
But when we give from the heart, Jesus makes a promise to us. “Your gift will return to you in full,” he says, “pressed down and shaken together to make room for even more, til it’s running over and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
When we finally realize that God is our ultimate Provider and Sustainer, we begin to see that we’re really not giving away anything that we personally own. We’re giving others what He gave to us. We’re simply stewards. And the more we give, the more He gives us to give.
I’ll close today’s thought by sharing what the Apostle Paul says in 2nd Corinthians 9:6-8:
“Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”
Former Blackout Artist 