The scriptures teach believers in Christ to give, following the example of our Father God, who demonstrates His love, grace, and goodness by giving generously.
This generosity is evident in His providence and, most importantly, in the gift of His Son. We will explore this further in another series.
God is a lavish and generous giver, motivated by His nature of love and goodness to give good things to all. The Bible states that He extends His goodness to both the righteous and the unrighteous, giving without preconditions, rebuke, or blame (Matthew 5:45; John 3:16; Romans 5:5-8; Romans 8:32; James 1:5, 16-17; 1 John 4:19).
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 5:45 KJV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 KJV
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:5-8 KJV
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Romans 8:32 KJV
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
James 1:5, 16-17 KJV
We love him, because he first loved us.
1 John 4:19 KJV
However, portraying God as one who only gives when men give to Him first is inconsistent with His character.
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.
Luke 6:38 KJV
Luke 6:38 is often cited to justify this misunderstanding:
The key question is, “What is the text and the context of this passage?”
In this passage, Jesus was teaching about judgment and mercy:
37 Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
38 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 6:37-38
Cross-reference:
1 Judge not, that you be not judged.
2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
Matthew 7:1-2 NKJV
Jesus taught similarly in Mark 4:24, though in a different context, still not about money or giving.
The larger context of Luke 6:38 is Luke 6:27-38.
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38 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.
Luke 6:27-38 KJV
There, our Lord was teaching about God’s character in contrast to the character of men, showing that our God is loving and gracious. As His children, believers should be merciful and gracious like their Father and not do good only to those who do good to them or for what they hope to receive in return. This then leads to verse 38.
First, we would notice that Luke 6:38 does not mention giving money to God, nor does it suggest that God will return something to you. It is about human interactions, emphasizing that people will reciprocate your actions with equal or greater measure. The context is Jesus teaching about careful judgment and reciprocity among men, not about monetary transactions with God.
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Luke 6:38 is not a promise that if you give money, God will multiply it and return it to you. Our Father is not a slot machine or a money doubler. He is a good and gracious Father who gives generously out of love, not in response to our giving.
Let’s embrace the true nature of God’s generosity and reflect His love and goodness in our interactions with others and even in our giving.
Written by: Rev. Ugochukwu Odimba
