Generosity and Reciprocity

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. (Luke 6:38)

When you hear the word give, what comes to mind? Do you only think about giving money? There’s nothing wrong with that, but God wants us to do more than give money. He wants us to live a lifestyle of giving. We should also give others mercy, forgiveness, kindness, and prayer. You are sowing seeds into their lives when you do these things. God promised believers that when we have a heart to give and follow His directions in obedience, we will get a return on what we give. The return probably won’t come from the person we gave to but from others who are obedient to what God places on their hearts to sow.

Some Christians are quicker to give something financially than they are to give forgiveness. They are faster to give advice than they are to give help. We must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit about what and how He wants us to give to others. While we know God’s system is one of seed, time, and harvest, we don’t give to get. Genuine followers of Jesus are givers because God is a giver. He loved you so much that He gave you the only thing He had one of, His only Son. If we are becoming more like Him, we should develop a habit of generosity.

God promises that our generosity will bring reciprocity. There will be a return on what you have given. That means the measure of mercy and forgiveness you have given to others will also be the measure of mercy and forgiveness you will receive. So, if you give no forgiveness, expect that there will be a time that someone won’t forgive you. If you are generous in your help and support of others, when you need help and support, God will put it on someone else's heart to help you.

Practical Application

What can you give today? A word of encouragement? A gift that helps someone? Time or energy? Ask the Holy Spirit to put someone in your heart to give to. Follow, obey, and expect to reap a harvest in the future.

Proverbs 11:24; 2 Corinthians 9:6

Give Mercy, Receive Mercy

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. (Luke 6:36-37)

Christians should be known as merciful people. Mercy is being sympathetic, tender, responsive, and compassionate to others, even or especially when they don’t deserve it. The only way to have a merciful heart is to respond to and receive the mercy that God has given us. You didn’t deserve salvation. You didn’t deserve His forgiveness. Yet, God is full of mercy and has compassion for us even when we don’t deserve it. So, why don’t we exhibit mercy to others?

Jesus said that we are not to judge. The Greek word for judge here is krino, which means to condemn or conclude someone as guilty. Christians shouldn’t jump to conclusions about the motives of other people. We shouldn’t be quick to condemn. Condemnation declares someone guilty and deserving of punishment. Jesus warned that if we condemn others, we will also be condemned.

Jesus finished this verse by telling us that we will be forgiven when we forgive. Forgiveness is not just a one-time act but a way of life. Once, Jesus was asked by His followers how many times they needed to forgive someone. Forgiveness involves letting go of the hurt someone has caused by how they wronged us. Holding on to the hurt doesn’t damage the offender but continues wounding the already wounded. Forgive those who have wronged you; it will set you free.

What you sow, you shall reap. Since none of us is perfect, we sometimes need mercy and forgiveness. Therefore, it’s important to be merciful and forgiving. When we sow seeds of compassion and forgiveness, God promises that a bountiful harvest will return the same to us.

Practical Application

When you feel tempted to judge someone else, remind yourself of your need for mercy and forgiveness. Pause and pray and approach others with the same mercy you want God to give you.

Micah 7:18; Psalm 103:12

Jesus’ Radical Command

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. (Luke 6:35)

Jesus was quite a radical! He gave several commands that went entirely against His day's cultural norms, and this was one of them. He commanded people to love their enemies, do good to them, and lend without expecting anything in return. The culture of Jesus’ day was similar to today’s because our natural inclination is not to love our enemies but to defend ourselves, attack them first, or repay them for the same damage they caused us. Jesus didn’t even say to “tolerate” our enemies (which could be a difficult task in itself).

Loving our enemies means seeking their good, praying for them with heart, and treating them with dignity, regardless of what they have done or how they treat us.

How is this possible? How can we live that type of love toward those who oppose us? The Bible tells us that God is love. His compassion is a part of His identity. Too many people don’t know God’s character. They assume He is constantly vengeful and angry, but they learn the truth when we react and respond like God, in compassion. They can learn that God is love through our mercy and generosity.

Jesus didn’t tell us to merely think good thoughts about our enemies, but He told us to do good and lend, hoping of nothing to gain. Christians should be known for selfless generosity, reflecting God’s character to those around us. Jesus promised that our reward will be great when we live out His radical commands of loving our enemies and living in intentional, selfless generosity.

Practical Application

What can you lend to someone in need and expect nothing in return? Maybe you could give someone financial help, time, or resources to benefit them. Ask the Holy Spirit to put someone on your heart and seek how you can lend in a heart of radical generosity.

2 Timothy 2:24; Ephesians 4:32