March 9, 2017 – Luke 6
For with the measure
you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38
God's general measure
principle --- the spirit you give will decide the spirit given back.
I want the best ‘bang for my buck’ that I can get. When it comes to purchases, I want the best
value. When it comes to incidentals,
I’ll look for the sale. When it comes to
phone apps, I check the ‘free’ category.
That’s not to imply I won’t spend money – but want to maximize the value
I get.
Jesus taught his disciples something similar, but it had
nothing to do with value and cost. It
had to do with spirit. When it comes to
giving, Jesus didn’t say the value would be returned, but the spirit would be
received. When it comes to service, the
spirit you give in serving will be the spirit given back. When it comes to love, the spirit of your
loving expressions will be the spirit you’re loved. It’s not about cost & results --- it’s
about spirit.
Consider the person who is a giver, but does so out of a
spirit of manipulation. Instead of
responding with gratitude and care, people will respond with resistance or
caution. A spirit of manipulation will
result in manipulation. When people give
of themselves to that person, it will also come in the form of manipulation.
Or consider the person who serves with an attitude of superiority. Their commanding personality may get the job
done, but at the cost of lost team capacity and enjoyment. Those willing to serve such a person will
likely either develop some resentment or use it for coarse joking – both
reactions of superiority. The spirit
that goes out will become the spirit that is returned.
But then consider a person who gives of themselves freely,
with no obligation, purely out of love.
While some may take advantage of that kindness, many people will be
motivated and excited to give of themselves to a gracious person like
that.
Jesus is right – the spirit of how we live will be the
spirit of what we receive in life. Don’t
go looking for a friend, be a friend and you will find friends looking for
you. Don’t go looking for love, love
people and you’ll be surrounded by people loving you. Don’t grip tight on your money, give it
generously and generous people will surround your life. Spirit attracts spirit – so be the spirit you
want to be surrounded with.
It’s a principle worth living!
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