Many old expressions have been floating around for years that people often apply to certain circumstances that arise in their lives. One simple phrase that I had forgotten about and recently heard is, "What goes around, comes around." Remember that one? If you really stop and think about some of those old expressions, many are rooted in Biblical principles like the one I just shared with you. Turn with me to Luke 6:38 and see for yourself…
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.
Ladies, whatever our personal system of measurement is, that same system of measurement is what we will receive as well. As we apply this verse to our personal relationships, we must check to see if there is anything we're holding back from a particular person that we would like to receive ourselves. How are you measuring out your love these days? Your mercy? Your patience? Your understanding? Are you giving out as much as you possibly can - pressed down, shaken together, and running over, or are you stingy in your portions? I'm sure that's not the system of measurement you would use on yourself, is it? Don’t forget - what goes around, comes around…
Galatians 6:7 (KJV)
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that
shall he also reap.
Perhaps you have been criticizing someone of an action that you might be guilty of too. Are you quick to render a verdict on someone based on your prejudices? I guarantee it will hinder your giving, for you'll withhold from persons based on your premature judgment of them. Whose ruler are you using on that person - your own sinful measurement system, or the Lord's flawless one?? Is that really the way you want to be treated?? Better be careful… Not only will you reap what you sow, but you’ll also reap in the amount you sow!
Matthew 7:2 (KJV)
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure
ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
As I think about these two passages of scripture, I can see how the Lord wants to bring about a godly balance to our lives. Our heavenly Father wants us to be extremely conscious of our personal measuring system, and when we finally realize we are going to get just what we give, it is certainly a sharp reminder, amen? Ladies, we must ensure we are measuring out enough of the positive and not too much of the negative and vice versa.
Proverbs 11:1 (KJV)
A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.
When we are preparing certain recipes for ourselves, for example, chocolate chip cookies - do you find yourself measuring out MORE of your favorite ingredients such as the chocolate chips because you know you are going to enjoy the extra-chocolaty bite later with a cup of tea? Maybe at your house, it's extra walnuts… The point is you receive back what you measured out, don't you? Thus, if you want to enjoy the flavor of life more than you have of late, perhaps you haven't been measuring out enough good tasting things to receive enough good tasting things back! What about when you make that same batch of cookies to give away… Do you skimp on the chocolate chips, do you restrict the walnuts, do you use the cheapest of ingredients - are you stingy, dear lady?? If so, then don't be surprised if others skimp on you… What goes around comes around! We're so generous with ourselves, and tightfisted with others, amen? God help our selfish hearts!
2 Cor. 9:6-8 (KJV)
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and
he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according
as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity:
for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound
toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may
abound to every good work:
Ladies, I hope when it comes to giving you and I don't have any hang-ups! I hope we will purpose in our hearts to give bountifully, FREELY, and unrestrained - the way our Lord did at Calvary. Even while we were yet sinners, our loving Heavenly Father didn't hold back sending His Son to die for us! The Bible says God loves a cheerful giver, one with a willing heart and a sincere desire to participate in the act of sacrifice. Are you cheerful in all your sacrifices? Does God think so?
When the temporal is placed before the eternal, God's way of doing things is usually forsaken. However, when we die to ourselves and seek FIRST the kingdom of God and HIS righteousness, all things are added unto us because God recompenses abundantly! That passage of scripture above says believers who give with the right heart are promised ALL grace - now that's a deal we can't pass up, amen? It is in giving that we become the richest… In fact, the abundance of God's riches are available to every believer who is rightly related to the Lord and ready to supply the needs of others. Ladies, giving is serious business, but it's also a delightful experience! In what relationships might you need to extend more grace, mercy, and giving? Why don't you see what you can give away today - beginning with people closest to you - your husband and children. Is there anything you've been holding back from them - your love, understanding, patience, mercy, or forgiveness?? Remember, all that you send into the lives of others comes back into your own - what goes around comes around!
"What, giving again?" I asked in dismay.
"And must I keep giving and giving away?"
"Oh, no," said the angel, piercing me through;
"Just give until God stops giving to you!"
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
