Light givers

Mark 4: 21 - 25

....the measure you give will be the measure you get....

When I read this phrase in light of the previous few sentences, it seems Jesus is saying that the amount of light we give to others will determine how much more we receive from him. This sounds like good spiritual advice. I guess it can apply to the different ways we are called to give and be 'light' to others. Sometimes, it will be by practical action and financial aid, at other times, it may require a more subtle approach of demonstrating to others our values as Christians.

Actually, it often does work out this way in practice. When we give to others, we are not 'losing' anything, whether economically or emotionally. Everything we give comes from God. We only lose if we try to give what our Creator has not given us. And so as we 'give' of our time or other resources, God will surely make certain that he continues to fill us up. The opposite is also true.Those who are 'stingy' with their resources will not open up a channel for God to enter into their lives. Their closed up stance means that God cannot pour more and more of his Spirit into their lives. And there will come a situation where at some stage, the ones who are not open to giving light to others will indeed find that 'moth and rust' bring decay to what they try to hold so tightly.

So it is good to use large measuring cups when we give. As we do so, we give the Lord the chance to fill our empty cups to overflowing. And we can then continue to give.