Luke 6:37-38 AMP

37 Judge not [neither pronouncing judgment nor subjecting to censure], and you will not be judged; do not condemn and pronounce guilty, and you will not be condemned and pronounced guilty; acquit and forgive and  release (give up resentment, let it drop), and you will be acquitted and forgiven and  released.

38 Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you.

We all love to quote the “Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed…” part of the scripture, but we also need to consider the rests of the scripture, “For with the measure you deal out…when you confer benefits on others…it will be measured back to you.  Most of us love to apply verse 28 to money, but the verse is about so much more than money!

As we consider verse 37 in relation to verse 38, the connotation is if we judge others you will reap judgment upon ourselves…good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.  If we condemn and pronounce guilty, we will be condemned and pronounced guilty…good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.  If we forgive and release resentment, we will be forgiven and released…good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over it will be measured back to us!

What does it mean to confer benefits on others?  Let’s take a look at the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of the word Benefit.

Ben·e·fit 

noun \ˈbe-nə-ˌfit\

Definition of BENEFIT

1 archaic : an act of kindness : benefaction

2. a : something that promotes well-being : advantage b : useful aid : help

3. a : financial help in time of sickness, old age, or unemployment b : a payment or service provided for under an annuity, pension plan, or insurance policy c : a service (as health insurance) or right (as to take vacation time) provided by an employer in addition to wages or salary

4. : an entertainment or social event to raise funds for a person or cause

See benefit defined for English-language learners »

See benefit defined for kids »

Examples of BENEFIT

1. the benefits of fresh air and sunshine
2. A benefit of museum membership is that purchases are discounted.
3. There are many financial benefits to owning your own home.
4. She is just now starting to reap the benefits of all her hard work.
5. The benefits of taking the drug outweigh its risks.
6. I see no benefit in changing the system now.
7. We’re lucky to be able to get the full benefit of her knowledge.
8. He began collecting his retirement benefits when he was 65.
9. He began collecting his retirement benefit when he was 65.
10. The job doesn’t pay much, but the benefits are good.

Origin of BENEFIT

Middle English, from Anglo-French benfet, from Latin bene factum, from neuter of bene factus, past participle of bene facere

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to BENEFIT

Synonyms: advantage, aid, asset, help, boon

Antonyms: disadvantage, drawback, encumbrance, hindrance, impediment, minus

The word Benefit is a wonderful word!  I want to challenge all of us to look for ways to confer benefits upon others today and throughout the weeks to come.  Do not be embarrassed in determining to reap those benefits back…good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over!  After all this is God’s plan for us!

GIVE LOVE                                           REAP LOVE

GIVE HOPE                                          REAP HOPE

GIVE ENCOURAGEMENT                    REAP ENCOURAGEMENT

GIVE MONEY                                       REAP MONEY

GIVE MERCY                                       REAP MERCY

GIVE TRUTH                                        REAP TRUTH

GIVE FORGIVENESS                             REAP FORGIVENESS

GIVE FRIENDSHIP                                REAP FRIENDS

Be Blessed,

Pastor Becky