Living to Give Text: Luke 6:37-38
37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Jesus says Judge not, condemn not, forgive, and then He say’s give. As a person applies these principles to his or her life he or she can see a simple fact. If you judge not you will not be judged, If you don’t condemn you won’t be condemned. Therefore when these simple applications are applied we will automatically bring a landslide of blessings our way! Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and it will be given to you!
Most of us in here have heard Luke 6:37-38 taught to us through giving tithes and offerings, and if that’s the case you have been somewhat cheated because Jesus is really saying that if there is any situation or sore spot in your life, if you will just start giving of yourself in that area God will allow you to finally reap!
Which one is the most important? Forgiveness, Not condemning, judging or giving? The question really is, which one, two or all do you need to apply?
When you do, Vs.38b applies unto the person acting on God’s word: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Today if you need to stop judging think about the reward!
Someone might say, “I bet that boy is stealing from his employer.”
You say back,“I don’t know anything about it let’s pray for him!” (That kind of attitude will stop judgment in its track.)
Early in our marriage Jenny and I met this lady that seemed to be nice enough, but then every time we saw her she would tell us about her husbands boss, or her children doing her wrong. It wasn’t just sometimes it was everyday. We finally found out how to handle her, every time she started we would just say her name and say let’s pray about this right now! ( She stopped calling soon.)
You might have a waitress waiting on you, and she might be doing a poor job serving you. How do you respond? (Remember, hurting people hurt people.)
ILL. A parking spot up front is available, but there is another person wanting the same spot too. Should you go ahead and take it and thank God for His favor, or give the space to the other car? ( The real blessing will come as you give it to the other person!)
What if we get a president we don’t like? What do we do?
Listen to I Timothy 2:1-3 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
Remember, Luke 6: 38b good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
The history behind these verses is being over and abundantly blessed with the scales on your side being totally off the charts!
Here’s my challenge: I want every person in the house tonight to take this challenge: Every day for six weeks find someone or something in your life where you can give grace, love, time, money or forgiveness!
Romans 12:9-19 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore“ If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink;For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Think about this, “Jesus knew better than anyone that the law of sowing and reaping always works. He sowed and sowed and sowed, and the results are He is now the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords,
And we are a new creation in Christ!"
