The Cycle of Provision
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38
There is no way to get around God wanting to bless us with His provision. Many people seem to shy away from a verse like this – not wanting to be viewed as one of those “prosperity people.” However, prosperity means the condition of being successful or thriving. Isn’t that what Jesus came to do? John 10:10 says, “I (Jesus) have come that they may have life and that they may have it abundantly.” The amplified Bible explains the word abundance as “to the full, till it overflows.” That sounds a lot like our verse of the day.
There is nothing wrong with accepting the abundance that Jesus came to give us and what we can further experience through giving. God designed it to be a circle of blessing. He provides our seed, we sow it (give a portion back), He blesses and multiplies it – because that’s what a seed does. This starts the cycle again. Notice the end game is not for the cycle to end with you. If you want enough to just cover your needs, fine! However, don’t stop the flow. Use the abundance to continue to be a generous giver.
We need to understand that it is not a sin to have money. Rather it is a sin for money to have you. 1 Timothy 6:10 says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Having money becomes a sin when it causes you to stray from the faith or when you are greedy with your money, not wanting to give. However, as we previously said, our giving is a never-ending cycle of blessing between God, you, and others.
As with all scripture, we need to have our minds renewed to the truth of what God intended for us. His intention is to provide for us abundantly – pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.
Always have an ear to the Holy Spirit for where and when He would have you bless others. There’s more to it than just giving financially. You can give of your time or ability. Maybe you can make a meal for someone or buy a coffee. Perhaps God will prompt you to pay someone’s electric bill or pay for someone’s gas! Set your heart to receive from God graciously and be a generous, joyful giver.
Dear Lord, thank you for your blessing of abundance in my life. Help me, in turn, be a generous giver and give of my finances as well as my time or talents. Amen.