Give- For His Glory

I’ve been thinking on the meaning of this verse in Luke 6:38, “give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” This verse does not promise that we will receive material things or happiness in proportion to what we give out to others in this lifetime. Nowhere in the scriptures are we promised health, wealth or prosperity. Hebrews 11:37-38 gives clear evidence of this. Listing those who were of faith, it is said of some, “They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth,” and in Romans 8:16-17 we are taught that, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” (Note the provision there.) Though we may not be called to suffer as severely as others have, we are not showing ourselves to be true children of God, and heirs with Christ, if we do not suffer in some way for the cause of Christ.

Jesus is not so concerned with us possessing material things as He is in our living in obedience to His teaching. Jesus’ words in Luke 12:15 are, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions,” “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul”? (Matthew 16:26).

If we truly follow Christ, we can expect to receive many good things, but not necessarily in this lifetime. We can be assured of spiritual blessings in this life- but not material blessings.. This doesn’t mean we won’t have many material things- for most of us likely do- but we should never take for granted our earthly possessions, for we could lose them as easily as we gain them. As Christians, our main concern should be living in obedience to scripture’s teaching. We are told in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

James 1:11-12 shows us the futility of storing up treasure on this earth, “For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. (However) Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

May we be seeking a heavenly treasure-- the crown of life for those who love God and desire to spend an eternity as fellow heirs with Christ, our Savior. May we give without expecting anything in return (in an earthly sense), knowing that the glory awaiting us will far outweigh the suffering of this present age, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” ( Romans 8:18).

May God give us the desire to do good to all- not to be rewarded in this lifetime- but to show our love for Him and our faith in a much better life to come- for all of eternity.