Luke 6:37-38
New International Version
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."
New Living Translation
Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back."
The Message version explains it very clearly:
37-38 “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”
I have ALWAYS been a selfish person, from birth. I remember as a child sitting at my grandfather's table eating a sandwich. I remember being mortified when my grandfather picked up MY sandwich and took a big bite. I cried and cried because I didn't want him to have my sandwich, even though it was his bread, his meat and it was his kitchen table that I was sitting at. I used to hate it when my grandfather would take his fork and pick up food from my plate. Even though my grandfather would give the shirt off of his back to me, I hated it when he would "take" something from me. I cannot understand why I didn't want to freely give it to him. I was born selfish (LOL).
This scripture talks about "giving". I always associated it with giving an offering to the collection plate. A pastor last evening put the scripture into another perspective, about "giving" of ourselves to people. Not only what you give, monetarily, has a way of giving back. Giving love. Giving of yourself, and giving of your talents to others comes back. Giving of your time comes back.
Grandpapa, I am sorry I was sooo selfish. I was a young kid who didn't know any better. Thank you, grandpapa for giving of youself to me. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for convicting me to recognize the importance of giving all of myself to the upbuilding of your Kingdom.
Amen
"I Give Myself Away"
[Chorus:]
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me
[Verse 1:]
Here I am
Here I stand
Lord, my life is in your hands
Lord, I'm longing to see
Your desires revealed in me
I give myself away
[Verse 2:]
Take my heart
Take my life
As a living sacrifice
All my dreams all my plans
Lord I place them in your hands
[Chorus:]
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me
[Chorus:]
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me
[Bridge: x7]
My life is not my own
To you I belong
I give myself, I give myself to you
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