“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.” Luke 6:38 NLT

How often have we heard this scripture quoted in regards to money, mainly tithe and offering? I’m sure, if you grew up going to church like I did, more times than you can count, no pun intended. It’s easy to read this verse and just stop at the “if I give money, I’ll get a blessing in return” idea, but I want to challenge that mindset.

I don’t think Jesus ever intends for us to take one scripture and only apply it to one area of our lives. I believe to fully embrace the idea of the type of giving that Jesus was talking about in Luke 6, we need to read Luke 6:37 as well; “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, and you will not be condemned or it will come against you. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:38 “GIVE AND YOU WILL RECEIVE.”

Could it be that in these words, printed in red in the Bible, the giving and receiving that Jesus is talking about has nothing to do with money but instead with forgiveness and judgement? Did you notice that Jesus doesn’t say that GOOD things will be given to you, He says that what you give is what you will receive and it will be so much that it will run over and spill into your lap. WHOA. Give high amounts of condemnation and anger, get back double. Give high amounts of grace and understanding, it will overflow on you.

Recap: The law of sowing and reaping isn’t just about planting wheat and reaping wheat. Planting apple trees and collecting apples. It’s not about giving money and getting money in return. It’s about truly getting back what you give. It’s not karma, it’s the BIBLE. If you sow empathy, understanding, love, forgiveness and compassion it will be heaped back on you when you need it the most.

Challenge: When you are interacting with people whether in person or online, remember this scripture. Sow grace when it’s difficult, be kind when it’s hard, love radically when hate is easier, bring peace instead of arguments.

Xoxox, Gena