Luke 6:38 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.
There have been times in my life when I have had questions about whether or not the promises of God were true for me in regard to giving and receiving. While I wouldn’t voice it openly, the thought crossed my mind when the Lord would prompt me to give, “I’ll obey, but will He really give back in an over-the-top way?” I knew the theological arguments that Christ has done more for us than we could ever repay, that our daily provision was from God, and that the Lord provides in many quiet ways such as a job or a scholarship (if one is in school) – but there was still the quiet question, “Will Luke 6:38 be real for me?”
I began to see God’s “running over” provision specifically when He led me to a place where He either had to provide or I would be sunk…and He did! That was just the beginning. I then got married to my lovely Marie, and we watched God provide for the wedding again and again in little and big ways. We also watched God provide a furnished place to live near our sending church. We watched Him provide meetings and support before we were even planning on starting deputation. We have watched Him prompt His people to give generously to the ministry, both financially and practically in many ways. When we found out we were expecting a little girl there was some trepidation, but again and again we have seen God provide abundantly for her needs. We and the baby have been given clothes, books, gift cards, and taken out to meals upon meals. We have had churches graciously cover our hotel rooms or provide places to stay. More than once people have filled our gas tank.
This has only motivated us to give more! I have accidently given once or twice to my own love offering…talk about a quick fulfillment of God’s promise! We are more motivated to help others as we can and the Lord leads. We have seen the wonderful reality of Psalm 68:19 “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” The more we see Him bless the more we are in love with Him, humbled by Him, and grateful for the members of His body that He uses to make good His Word. We are also more motivated in our mission as we have clearly seen God work. The God Who is faithful here will certainly be faithful there!
Does God fulfill His promises…even Luke 6:38? YES! More than I could have imagined.
“What is heaven but the Alps of his love, from whose summits his blessings flow down in a thousand streams to water and refresh the world?” – Helms