Live to Give

“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” (Luke 6:38). 

So, what comes to mind when you hear the word “giving?” During church, maybe it’s money. During a holiday, maybe it’s gifts. We all have our own reactions to the word. Funny how easy it is for us to feel threatened. Somehow, we’re convinced we lose in the giving process. It’s also easy for us to feel inadequate in giving, like we don’t have anything to give. No one would want what I have. 

During the 1988 Summer Olympics some Baylor students traveled to Seoul, Korea. They were part of a ministry outreach to worldwide athletes. One afternoon, three of the students were in a taxicab driven by a Korean man who spoke no English. Only knowing 3 Korean words (hello, thank you, and bathroom), the students overcame the language barrier by pointing to their destination on a map. The Korean cab driver smiled and took off into traffic. 

Halfway into the trip a funny thing happened. The cab driver started whistling. As the students stopped talking to listen, they recognized the tune… “Amazing Grace.” One by one those Baylor Bears joined in, until a chorus, you know brought cheer to Christ, was whistling John Newton’s tune. The driver was in tears as they reached their destination. Who would have thought such a great gift would be received in such a circumstance? And who would have thought the driver would have such a great gift to give?

Don’t discount what God has given you to offer. If you have a song to sing, sing it. If you have a note to write, write it. If you have a compliment to give, give it. Jesus is not talking about money in 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.” He’s talking about being generous with love, blessing, and release, like forgiveness. Live to give in this way in extreme, considering his love and forgiveness for you, and his promise is an extreme of what you give will come back to you. And, yes, you are the one who sets the bar of abundance that will be applied to you!! God is so gracious to us.

Bob Hope had his faults, but he often gave what he had to others. He loved to say, “Laughter is an instant vacation but giving is a two-week cruise with pay.” My friend, go on a cruise, give!