Giving Day 2

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

This verse makes we want to give all that I have so that the same will be given to me. Yet, my flesh screams out to me that I only have what I have and that I am risking it if I give it all. These days times are tough, they are uncertain. In my minds eye, I begin to think that those who have less than I would probably want to hold on to every bit. But that is not true. In our church, it is reported that there has been an increase in giving. People are understanding that it is God's and we must trust that he will provide for all our needs as a community. Some friends of ours certainly have less than we do, yet, they continue to "out give" us. No, it is not a race or a "keep up with the Robinson's" attitude, but it definitely makes me think that I am not giving enough, that I am living in my flesh and not living out my faith.

With this in mind, is it possible that we also hoard our love for others? When we want to love someone and they hurt us, do we withhold our love? If we give with the measure of "you hurt me so I am not going to love you" then we fail to love with the measure that our God loves.

I think of my recipes at home, some of them say to sift the flour, so it is fluffy and light. When I don't sift it, it is full and heavy. Same with brown sugar. When it is all pressed down, shaken together, it definitely has more volume than the lighter fluffy sifted amount. We are told that we will be given the same measure we give to others. Do you carefully sift through it, making it look like more, or do you make sure it is fully loaded, pressed down and shaken together?

Dear Lord,
Living in the flesh is not the most ideal arrangement that I can think of. If only we could see our futures and know that everything will turn out okay. My heart tells me that you will take care of me and that you will love me no matter what. My heart tells me that it is my responsibility to give to others, give to my church and to give to you all that I am, have and can be. Lord, give us each the knowledge we need to see where we fall short in giving. Help us to see when we are being greedy, when we are expecting more than we are willing to give. You are an amazing God and I praise you for providing far more than I could ever imagine. As I look out at the lanai mountain range, I am overwhelmed with your power, your imagination. Thank you again for the family that has given to us this wonderful place to abide in you. May they be blessed abundantly. Amen.