Luke 6:38 KJV “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.”

Well, there you have it, a dare from Jesus! In the profound depths of Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain, we unearth a resounding call to embrace generosity, a call echoed throughout the Bible. This verse encapsulates timeless principles that reverberate through history. God, who created everything, who needs nothing, who owns the “cattle of a thousand hills”, the hills themselves, and the tatters under-em. This God dares you to give. “Try Me,” he says. It isn’t a matter of his need for us to give, nor is it the need of His work that requires it, it is a principle, a principle of trust. It has been said, “I’ll show you their love by you showing their bank account.” Let us embark on an exploration of the principles, promises, and spiritual richness that giving holds. Let’s see the 100% guarantee that God promises to those who obey this principle.

Generosity in Christian Giving: At the heart of Christian doctrine, giving stands as a profound expression of love, generosity, and stewardship. The Bible weaves together principles of tithing, cheerful giving, aiding the needy, sacrificial generosity, and responsible stewardship.

Giving From the Beginning

The Old Testament provides numerous examples of giving from the beginning through the time of Solomon. Here are some notable instances:

1. Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:3-4, ESV):
   • “In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering.”
2. Noah’s Offering after the Flood (Genesis 8:20-21, ESV):
   • “Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, ‘I will never again curse the ground because of man.'”
3. Abraham’s Tithe to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18-20, ESV): The Old Testament Tithe
   • “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!’ And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”
4. The Tabernacle Offerings (Exodus 35:21, ESV): A Matter of the Heart
   • “And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments.”
5. David’s Offering for the Temple (1 Chronicles 29:3-9, ESV): A Display of Devotion
   • “Moreover, in addition to all that I have provided for the holy house, I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, and because of my devotion to the house of my God I give it to the house of my God: … Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.”
6. Solomon’s Prayer for Offerings (2 Chronicles 1:6-7, ESV): Moves the Heart of God
   • “And Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before the Lord, which was at the tent of meeting, and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it. In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, ‘Ask what I shall give you.'”

These examples illustrate various forms of giving, including offerings, tithes, and contributions to the construction of sacred spaces. The willingness and generosity of individuals like Abel, Abraham, David, and Solomon set a precedent for acknowledging God’s provision and expressing gratitude through giving.

“Give, and it shall be given unto you”: This biblical principle beckons believers to cultivate a spirit of selflessness and compassion, underscoring the idea that our generosity may lead to positive returns. In contemplating this principle, we must ask ourselves: Has God not given us everything, including the precious life of His Son? Why then would we withhold anything from Him?

The Implicit Guarantee in Christian Giving: While the Bible may not offer explicit guarantees for material return, the concept of giving intertwines with spiritual blessings, joy, and reciprocal divine favor. And most importantly it is imperative. Giving is not optional in a Christian life. Our lives are defined by giving. We love our Lord with all we are, and all we have, and we love our neighbor as ourselves. How can we say we love God and our neighbor and act selfishly? Short answer, we can’t love God and mammon. But, a negative consequence is rarely a good motivation. If we give grudgingly or sparingly where is our reward? God looks on the heart. The widow gave very little but received the greatest reward. Why? Because she gave it all! The Lord is asking us today: Have you given me your all? We are invited to consider the implicit promise that underlies the fundamental principle, the guarantee “Give and it shall be given unto you.”

“Poured into Your Bosom”: A Personal Connection with Divine Blessings:

1. Personal and Intimate Blessings: The phrase “poured into your bosom” signifies an intimate connection with God, where blessings manifest not as distant rewards but as a direct result of a personal relationship with the divine. I chose the KJV because I like the word boson better than lap. It implies something much deeper to me. Something that affects the inside of us. Something very intimate.
   • Overflowing Abundance: “Poured into your lap” transcends sufficiency, portraying a continuous overflow of blessings that encompass every facet of life. A blessing that you can’t even contain.
2. Immediate and Continuous Provision: This imagery conveys ongoing and immediate provision, emphasizing God’s unwavering care and generosity in meeting our needs. All according to His riches in Glory. Wow! Think about this for a minute. Provisions from God’s bank account. He can do exceeding and abundantly above anything we ask or even think!
3. Divine Care and Attention: The act of pouring underscores God’s deliberate and caring provision, showcasing His attention to our unique circumstances and desires.
4. Trust and Surrender: To receive blessings in this manner necessitates a posture of trust and surrender, encouraging believers to open their hearts to God’s benevolence.

“Pressed Down, Shaken Together, and Running Over”: Meticulous Completeness and Abundance:

1. Pressed Down: The phrase “pressed down” signifies a meticulous and complete provision, echoing Psalm 23:5 (ESV), where God’s goodness and mercy follow us, filling every space in our lives.
2. Shaken Together: “Shaken together” adds a dynamic element, symbolizing a harmonious and consolidated abundance, as seen in Isaiah 65:7 (ESV).
3. Running Over: “Running over” conveys excess and abundance, resonating with the promise of abundant life in John 10:10 (ESV).

Reciprocity Unveiled: Divine Connection Between Generosity and Blessings:

For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Unpacking these words reveals a profound reciprocity, showcasing the divine connection between our generosity and God’s lavish blessings. As recipients of immeasurable grace, it beckons us to extend that grace to others. This however is not our motive for giving. Our motive is love and obedience.

Old Testament Examples of Freewill Giving:

1. Exodus 35:21 (ESV): “And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting.” I love these statements. Why did they give? Because they wanted to. God stirred their hearts. What an awesome thing. When God stirs our hearts to give it is an awesome privilege to do so.
2. 1 Chronicles 29:9 (ESV): “Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.”

“Try Me and See” – Malachi 3:10 (ESV):

Malachi 3:10 (ESV): “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”

Context: Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, is a collection of prophecies delivered by the prophet Malachi to the post-exilic community in Judah. The people were facing spiritual apathy, moral corruption, and negligence in their worship and offerings

Let’s take a closer look at the statements here

1. “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse”:
   • The term “tithe” refers to a tenth, and it was a commandment in the Mosaic Law for the Israelites to give a tenth of their income to support the Levites and the work of the temple. The “storehouse” was a designated place where these offerings were collected. Of course, the concept of the tithe goes all the way back before the law as we have discussed
2. “That there may be food in my house”:
   • The purpose of tithing is linked to sustaining the ministry and the needs of the priests and Levites who served in the house of God. The tithe was crucial for the maintenance and operation of religious practices. In the New Testament Book of Acts, it is called the storehouse.
3. “And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts”:
   • God invites the people to test Him by being faithful in their tithing. This is not a challenge to doubt God but an invitation to experience His faithfulness when they honor Him with their giving.
4. “If I will not open the windows of heaven for you”:
   • God promises a remarkable response to faithful tithing. The metaphorical expression “open the windows of heaven” suggests a floodgate of blessings that God is ready to pour out upon the obedient and faithful givers.
5. “And pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need”:
   • The nature of the blessing is abundant and sufficient. God assures that He will provide to the extent that there will be no lack. This encompasses both material and spiritual blessings, indicating God’s comprehensive care for His people.

Implications for Today:

1. Faithful giving: Malachi underscores the importance of faithful and obedient giving as a means of supporting the work of the ministry and acknowledging God’s ownership over all resources. As New Testament believers we accept faithful giving as an act of love and not just to keep the law. We give freely because Christ has made us free from the law. But the principle of the tithe still stands as an example of faithful giving.
2. Testing God’s Faithfulness: The invitation to test God is an encouragement for believers to experience God’s faithfulness in their lives when they prioritize giving and trust in His promises.
3. Abundant Blessings: The promise of abundant blessings reminds us that God’s provision goes beyond mere sustenance. It encompasses all aspects of life, reflecting His desire for the well-being of His people.

Malachi 3:10 encourages us to approach giving with a faithful and obedient heart, trusting in God’s promise of abundant blessings as we honor Him with our resources.

In understanding Luke 6:38 (ESV), we are compelled to recognize the transformative power of a generous heart. God, in His ultimate act of generosity, gave us everything, including the precious life of His Son. In light of this, let us not withhold but, with open hearts, embrace the divine conduit of blessing through selfless giving. As we do so, we position ourselves to receive blessings that overflow—pressed down with meticulous completeness, shaken together in harmonious unity, and running over with God’s extravagant generosity.