“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
–Luke 6:38
Decades ago, I preached in a week-long revival down in South Florida. The ministry that invited me had a very limited budget, so every night we’d pass an offering plate to help keep the lights on for the next night. We went day-to-day not knowing if we were going to be able to open the building tomorrow!
Well, one night as we were shutting things down, a woman came to me and said, “Pastor, I’ve always wanted to attend a revival where there was no offering taken. I’m not against it, but I want it to just be about the people who don’t know Jesus.” And right then and there, she wrote a check that covered the expenses for the rest of the week. We didn’t have to take another offering!
That revival had a tremendous impact on that little town, and I have no doubt it was due, in part, to that woman’s generosity. But what was more important than that was the reason she gave – not to get anything in return, but simply so that more people would hear the Gospel.
I’ve never seen that woman again, but I have no doubt her reward in heaven is going to be great for that simple act of faith. So give generously, expecting nothing in return. You may not be rewarded in this life, but you’ll be blessed beyond compare in the life to come!
INCREASE YOUR BLESSINGS IN THE LIFE TO COME BY GIVING GENEROUSLY IN THIS LIFE AND EXPECTING NOTHING IN RETURN!
