“Give and It Shall Be Given to You” (in Biblical Context) not the Church’s
…approaching with caution, as it may cause spontaneous combustion.
When looking at the promulgation of the body of Christ, that does not mean we are working to grow the number of chairs in our local assemblies. The Father of the Messiah Commands renewal, forgiveness and restoration. Money is NOT the focus of that. However, “giving” IS!
The following rather popular verse of Luke 6:38 — “Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be put into your lap, for with the same measure that you use, it will be measured to you again.”
This is often quoted in prosperity or financial contexts, but its original setting is far broader.
Did we forget (or, not know) that Israel is an agrarian society? They are “…farmers” and “sheepherders.”
Let’s jump into the true context of Luke 6:35–38, where we read Jesus is teaching about mercy, forgiveness, and love for others. He says…
Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return… -Luke 6:35
Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful… forgive, and you will be forgiven… give, and it will be given to you… -Luke 6:36–38
As you and I look around at the surrounding verses, we see that they all emphasize judging, condemning, and forgiving. It is not about just financial giving.
The “measure” Yeshua refers to is the standard of how we treat others. … if we are generous and forgiving, we will be treated generously and forgiven in return.
How could and why would this be misapplied? Many churches and preachers pull this verse out of its context to promote financial generosity or “seed money” giving. This reduces the verse to a prosperity gospel formula, ignoring the deeper call to reflect GOD’s Character in our relationships.
As you can see here, generosity is not limited to money. It in fact includes time, resources, kindness, and forgiveness.
Using the term “measure” will be people employing the very attitude and actions we show toward others. IF we are generous and forgiving, others will respond in kind.
The agrarian/farmer imagery of “pressed down, shaken together, and running over” is a representation for “abundance and overflowing generosity,” not just a formula for material return.
Should we apply this same (or similar) formula in relationships, we would see that being generous and forgiving will often cause people to treat us in the same way.
We know that all of Israel, in those days, was communal. They were Commanded to show mercy and kindness, even to those who wronged them. This same responsibility falls to humankind all over. …especially, those who claim they love GOD, His Son and the Holy Spirit of Truth.
Being a person who likes to give cheerfully, and not out of fear or expectation of return, as 2 Corinthians 9:7 teaches is the way to go.
Keeping the Truth as it was when set in this context, Jesus is calling His followers to live in a way that reflects His Father’s Mercy, and in doing so, we will experience the same generosity and forgiveness from others.
Jesus is not giving a financial formula.
Luke 6:38 has been misapplied for DECADES. In the proper setting, it has MORE power and impact! Are you able to now see that Yeshua is not talking about money at all? He talks about love, forgiveness, mercy, and the way we treat people.
I will prove the Biblical Checklist for “giving love, forgiveness and mercy just below.
Love your enemies
Do good to those who hate you
Lend expecting nothing in return
Be merciful
Do not judge
Do not condemn
Forgive, and you will be forgiven
The measure you use with others is the measure GOD uses with you and me.
If we give mercy → we receive mercy
If we give forgiveness → we receive forgiveness
If we give grace → we receive grace
If we give compassion → we receive compassion
This IS the “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over.”