Pressed Down, Shaken Together, Running Over!
The world likes to say, What goes around, comes around.
It seems some Biblical truths are so obvious that even unbelievers like to quote them (without realizing they’re paraphrasing Scripture).
The Lord Jesus taught that good behavior has the added bonus of being an investment in our own well-being.
Here’s a great example:
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38).
While this teaching has a direct application regarding our finances, the immediate context of Jesus’ saying is not speaking about money at all—He’s talking about how we live—how we treat others.
If we don’t want to be harshly criticized by others, He says, we need to stop being so critical (Matthew 7:1-6). If we want to be shown forgiveness, then we must be people who freely forgive (Matthew 6:14).
We can use this teaching as a template for a myriad of Christian graces that we can sow—and then expect to reap.
Patience.
Kindness.
Sympathy.
Compassion.
Mercy.
How much of any one of these attributes would you like to be shown today?
You and I get to determine that by the way we choose to treat other people.
Give it out, receive it back, Jesus says.
And just so you know, He adds, the measure you use is important.
And that’s because the proportion we give out, will be the proportion we receive back.
That’s why He encourages us to be lavish givers of God’s grace!
Because if we generously pour out love and kindness onto others, we will receive back “a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over”
What does that mean?
The phrase “pressed down, shaken together” describes the way generous merchants would measure out their grain to their customers.
If the seller was indeed generous, he’d place the wheat or barley into a measuring basket and press it down and then shake it together to help the contents settle, and then press it down again tightly to maximize the basket’s ability to hold grain.
When the basket met its limit, the kernels would be “running over” into the recipient’s lap, who would then fold their outer garment like a pocket and use it to carry the grain—the way Ruth did (chapter 3).
So Jesus uses the “pressed down, shaken together, running over” illustration to help us understand the principle of reciprocity in our treatment of others and our approach to life.
We will get back to the degree we are willing to invest in others and in this life—“The amount you give will determine the amount you get back” (6:38).
Are we stingy with our grace and mercy; are we Scroogelike with patience and kindness?
A thimble of kindness begets a thimble’s worth in return.
An ocean of love and encouragement to others will keep those waves of goodness rolling in, one blessing after another.
