“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 6:38.

This principle goes beyond material giving and it is a spiritual law. It is a principle of reciprocity, which means the way we treat others and the standards we apply to them is the same we get. It is a reminder that our actions have consequences and are likely to be met with abundance in this life and beyond. For example, sharing our faith, offering encouragement, and praying for others has great reward in eternity. Proverbs 11:30 and Daniel 12:3 suggest that those who win souls are wise and will shine like stars in heaven.

GOLDEN RULES:

1. Intent: Giving with a genuine desire to bless others is more impactful than giving out of obligation or with selfish motives.

2. Expectations: Don’t give with the sole expectation of receiving back from the recipient.

3. “Do to others what You Want Done to You.” Regardless of your religion or denomination, life will always give you an abundance of whatever you give to others. It doesn’t matter whether you are the person who offended first; the golden rule is that whatever you give must return to you. This is why Jesus told us to love our enemies and do good to them. He knows that if we hurt them (in retaliation for their offences), it will backfire on us later. In other words, when we take vengeance, we indirectly hurt ourselves.

4. Before Pointing Fingers at Others, Point Them Inwards: The easiest way to avoid condemning others is to examine our conscience thoroughly. Whenever you hear about the fall of others, ask yourself “If I were in that person’s shoes, would I have done better?”

5. Be Merciful like God: By asking us not to condemn, is Jesus saying we should condone evil? No! The ultimate message is to avoid giving up on people. To be merciful like God is to be like the prodigal son’s father who waited patiently for his return and received him as one risen from the dead.

6. God's Sovereignty: Ultimately, God's blessings are not earned but are a gift of His grace.