Luke 6:38b With the measure YOU use

Luke 6:38 NIV " 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."

One problem with familiar passages is that we seldom really hear it each time it's read. I know this passage. I know the preceding verse about not condemning or judging or I will be judged. I know that when I give, no matter how much or how little, I get that in return. It is just a fact. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but it always come back. This passage tells us to expect exactly that. When we give, it will be given back to us. When we give, a "good measure, pressed down, shaken together and RUNNING OVER will be poured into your lap."

The amount we give, not matter what we give, is given back to us. This does not say that only the good that we give is returned to us in this generous portion. It just says when we give we will receive it back.

If we give hatred, we receive hatred.

If we give judgment, we receive judgment.

When we give gossip, we receive gossip.

Give love, receive love.

Give gratitude, receive gratitude.

Give obedience, receive obedience.
Give trust, honesty, patience and receive it in kind.
AND, we will receive in the same measure that we gave it.
By giving, whatever we give, we should expect it in return.
Until today, I considered this passage in a positive light. But now I see that it can be both positive and negative. We get what we give, in like measure.
I think I'll do my best to give positives and refrain from the negatives in life. Compliment, not complain. Praise, not reject. Be kind, not harsh. Keep quiet where it will not be for something beneficial. Keep quiet when nothing good is accomplished by speaking. These things I will try to do. Help me please.

Jesus, your words are wonderful. They are plain speaking when we choose to just listen. Open my hearing so that your words teach me. Help me to give good, only good, or for the good, in good measure. Amen.

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