Receiving What You Give
Sermon Notes
This text is used to refer to giving and receiving money, but also for greater values.
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.
Be fair to others, because the same measure you use will return to you. If you are generous, generosity will be returned to you, in full. If you are stingy and uncharitable, the same standard will be used for you.
Here are two points I would like to give you about receiving what you give.
Point # 1. Consideration.
Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; The kind of seed a farmer plants determines the kind of harvest he will reap. The spiritual seed we plant also determines the kind of harvest. If considerate of the feelings and needs of others, we will usually receive kindness and appreciation in return.
Consideration for others brings God’s blessing. God forgives us as we forgive, He is pleased when we love one another. Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Point # 2. Confidence
1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: Lack of faith is often expressed through pessimistic attitudes that bring disappointment to self: discouragement to others, and displeasure to God; Hebrew 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. We demonstrate faith by declaring our confidence in God. When we do, others will grow in faith through our influence.
The more we exercise our faith the more we will grow. Unused faith dwindles and dies. James 2:17-18 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works;
Conclusion: Give with no strings attached, and you will receive it in the same manner.