Life or Death
“Give, and good measure will be given to you, pressed down and shaken together, and running over, they will pour into your lap. For what ever measure you deal out to others, it will be dealt to you in return.” Luke 6:38
Give – There are two Greek verbs that mean “to give.” Doreomai means “to give” in the sense of “to grant.” With this verb, the emphasis falls on the giver and his generosity. This verb is related to dorea (gift) and is used of God’s supernatural gift, freely given because of His character. But in this verse, the Greek verb is didomi. The emphasis of didomi is not on the giver but on the gift itself. The noun, doron, is used for offering to God where the emphasis is not on the one making the offering but rather on the actual offering made. Now we can apply this insight to Yeshua’s statement. We discover that Yeshua is not emphasizing us. He is not commending our worthy effort. His emphasis in the Greek text is on the gift, not the giver. He is not congratulating us on our generosity or noble character. Instead, he is pointing toward what we give. Why?
I suspect that most of us would rather read this verse as if it were a personal commendation about our worthiness. It isn’t! It isn’t an acknowledgement of how wonderful we are because giving was the expected norm in the close communities of Israel. There was no welfare, no entitlements, no social security, no government agencies to look after those in need. If anything were to be done, it had to be done by other members of the community. And it was done! It was expected that anyone who was able to help would do so. In fact, those who did not voluntarily assist were consider greedy, even if they had only two cents. Why? Because greed was the display of the unwillingness to offer assistance whenever one was able to do so. Greed was characterized by placing myself ahead of the needs of others. And in the communal society of Israel, greed killed!
In order to understand why giving and greed are polar opposites, we must make a radical paradigm shift. The basic tenet of modern capitalism is the assumption that the available resources of the world are not limited. Yes, we all know that there is only a finite amount of everything, but the economic engine that runs the capitalist society operates as if there are no practical limits. In other words, we really don’t think we will run out of stuff anytime soon. But this is not true in the Semitic, Middle-Eastern cultures. Those cultures have a very strong paradigm about the limited amount of resources. If everything is truly limited right now, then life is a Zero-Sum game. There is only so much of the pie, so the more that I accumulate, the less there is for others. In this worldview, greed kills because greed means that I take more than I need and ignore the fact that my possession limits the available resources for others.
We have a hard time thinking of the world’s resources as strictly limited. These days we don’t operate in the Zero-Sum world. We think in terms of making more, not in terms of depriving others. But in Yeshua’s world, lack of generosity meant someone died. So, giving was absolutely expected. If I took more of the pie, you had less. If I took too much, you had none. Therefore, what I give is vital to the well-being of the community. I must give any amount that exceeds what I need (not what I want).
Let this paradigm shift sink in for awhile – and then we will look at “Give” once more.
Topical Index: give, didomi, Luke 6:38
Skip,
Your teachings on what it means to “Give” are powerful and convicting. G-d uses you to speak into so many areas of our lives, and this deeper understanding of our willingness (or lack of) to give is yet one more.
When the “ouch factor” occurs, I know your message has gone straight to my heart.
And, after reading this, I definitely said “ouch!!” Come to think of it, I’ve said “ouch” a lot since meeting you! 🙂
But, after the ouch comes a, “Yes, I needed that!” Then a, “Thank you Lord for nudging me to deeper levels.” And a, “Praise G-d for pursuing me so relentlessly.”
How do you love me Lord…let me count the ways…and may I be more generous out of gratitude, love and obedience.
Greed vs. generosity. “Selfishness” vs selflessness.” “It’s all about me” vs. “how may I serve you?”. I think we might see a pattern here.
The very first words a young child may express (other than “McDonalds”) is “mine.” Isn’t it amazing, we don’t have to teach children to be selfish. “Now little Johnny – share your toys with Billy.” – “Why can’t we all (just) get along?” Because dear friends, at the core of our being we are all about “me”.
And this “me-ism” (it’s the new and improved “religion” of the day!) is running rampant. “What’s in it for me” is the first question we ask. -(Don’t look so holy).
But, RW (Rick Warren) was right on the money (capitalist pig) with this: “it’s not about you!” Triple up- amen- it is not about you, or me, or him or her. Not that guy either. So.. “what’s it all about? (-Alfie..)
Who is the “center of the universe?” Man? – (I laugh on your lapel) No, no and no. Not man. (not mankind either).
“It is the LORD”. It is (the) Christ. Not my words- His words. Not my wisdom- His wisdom. Not my ways- His ways. Not my will (strong-willed -make that stubborn-willed creature that I am)- His will be done. That’s right.. on earth as it is in heaven. Pharoah was absolutely correct in asking- “Who is the LORD that I should obey Him?” (Exodus 5.2)
– Go ahead Mr. – ask this question. Ask it. And then please.. wake up to realize and recognize- “the LORD- He is G-d”. If you don’t do this- your future will be the same as Pharoah’s- you’re goin’ down. “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.” (Proverbs 21.30)
So what is it we “need” to give? What is it we do not give? We fail to “give unto the LORD the glory due His name” (1 Chronicles 16.29) What we give is ‘half-hearted’ worship. We give Him, not our first-fruits, but rather our leftovers.
Exhibit A.- Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. You want to see what “worship” looks like? Come to Lambeau, but be warned- these folks are serious about their “religion!” Green and gold baby strollers- even a pack of peanut-butter crackers are dressed in “team colors!”
Drive 20 minutes to go to church? Sunday mornings are my sleep time. I need my (beauty) rest. (amen?). Well then, let’s just skip church and head for the lake instead. Boy, do we ever bound of of bed. – So then, where are our prioritities? Where is our appetite? What can we “give” unto the LORD?
What is the most precious “commodity” we have? It is our “time”. The few and fleeting moments we have together here on this green planet. And what is the best way we may utilize or “steward” our time? our energy? our resources? – “Give unto the LORD, the glory due His name.” “Serve the LORD with gladness”- (aah- do I have too?) – I’d rather be…._____________________.
Are His words true? (stupid question of the year award forthcoming..)
“Give, and it shall be given unto you” (Luke 6.38) Is this G-d’s “Torah?” Is this a “command” from G-d?
Do we need to “heed” or “harken” unto these (His) words? “Who is the LORD, that I should obey Him?” (now where have we heard that before?)
Skip, you like to open up cans of worms! There is another consequence of limited resources. If my neighbor has more children, then my children get less. Maybe population control is the only solution to this economic dilemma.
In his 1844 Manuscripts, Karl Marx was very focused on the ideal image
of man (see Genesis 1:27).
And Marx was very concerned by the growing “Alienation” of Man from
his Self and the Community.
So when I read The Scarlet Letter (1850), Hawthorne’s message
intrigued me, to say the least.
According to Hawthorne’s “Allegory of the Human Soul” the scarlet
letter A portrays two paths.
The one path leads us to Androgyny (integration of self and
community/wholeness).
And the other path leads us to Alienation (disintegration of self and
community/sin).
IF life is a zero sum game, how is it the God Who calls me to be like Himself, the One Who is infinite and creative, sets such limits?
I agree we are to be generous and joyfully so, but not because there is a limited number of pieces of pie. God’s pie keeps increasing, doesn’t it?
Deferring to your greater knowledge, Skip, is something I do nearly every day when I take in your studies but this one does not make sense to me the way I’m reading it.
Does Father really call me to be something that He is not–limited?
“Increase and multiply” doesn’t mean the obvious in any sense except babies if the pie never can get bigger; the pieces only smaller. And if it only means babies, then it’s a formula for total self-destruction because the pie cannot get larger and with so many babies, we become limited in the amount that can be given them. If God gives babies, then HE does not create ANY to perish (eternally) and HE makes a way to deliver every single one out of ALL of their afflictions. Yes, it may be thru’ the generosity of fellow believers, but Proverbs indicates that industry and integrity precede provision while sloth and foolishness go before poverty.
The pie increases as His Kingdom increases.
Carl mentioned Luke 6:38. That is the furthest thing from a zero sum game there is.
The only scripture(s) I can find this second that even hint at Father setting up a system where I’m limited (below) don’t appear to speak directly to supply being limited. My choices can limit it but it’s by my choice, not His supply. (warning, loose English context)
A zero sum game says that MY God is incapable of supplying all of my needs and all of my neighbor’s needs at the same time. It is my understanding that My God says that when HE supplies me with some and I help my neighbor, HE makes the pie big enough for me to give more. We are to work so we have enough to give, not just subsist.
I am not saying that the flesh is not greedy; we know (Prov) that greed will bring one to poverty. Nor am I saying that in the Spirit (grace, not greed) I have no responsibility to those who are dull and lack. Generosity always wins the day–Not because supply is limited, but because God’s supply is infinite and we are to be like Him.
As we grow in Him, we give. HE gave His “only begotten Son.” As we become like Him we come to understand what it is to share in His suffering as a result of our/His amazing generosity. But it’s because in Him, we are infinite in our creative abilities. In Him, we have our Being and all that is required in order to be. The pie is not finite and we do not live in a zero-sum game economically or spiritually. Hallelujah!
He Lives ! And so do we. HE gives! And so do we.
Saralou
Matthew 13:12 “For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.
Matthew 25:29 “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.
Mark 4:25 “For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.”
Luke 8:18 “So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”
Luke 19:26 “I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. (NASB ©1995)
Just a quick reply due to time constraints. I think you missed the point. Whether or not life is Zero-Sum is a function of the paradigm, the way that we perceive life. It is not a statement of reality. So, functional capitalism ignores the naturally occurring limits of the physical universe. The Hebraic view does not. This means that the Hebraic view of social and environmental responsibility is very different than the Western, Adam Smith, capitalist view. This is NOT about the creative God or spiritual reality.
Dear Saralou, ( I love your name and the spelling of it!) I just want to encourage you and write from two or three different angles: You are seemingly somewhat new to S.D.D. and your enthusiasm is contagious– beautiful– PTL for it. I have been reading Skip almost since the beginning of it being on line, years before he started the new format with comments, I think in Jan. 2009. I am old–77years; I have been a student of God’s Word since I could read, experienced and learned so many wonderful things, experienced the Glory of the Lord, miraculous healings and experienced His Great Love and Abundance and sometimes not so wonderful things in life. Life is indeed full of both of them
With reading Skip, I have learned to read and learn and accept what God shows me in His Word is true, and to evaluate the other. He is correct on his response below– I have lived in a Third World Country, and what they have experienced and seen and their ancestors before for eternity, does not allow them to see the response as you see it. Partially because it has never been experienced in two-thirds of the World, as our UP TO NOW CURRENT CULTURE is living! My cousin and husband are now in the States after being Missionaries to SE India and the Phillipines for 35 years with one of the wealthiest of Denominations–( the reason I added that, is they did not suffer as many missionaries have had too in materialist needs, many privelges to fly home when needed and for yearly leaves from their mission field, retirement incomes, health insurance, etc.). We are weekly in contact via e-mail with each other, with prayer request for the Christian native people and what they are experiencing in those countries. They know first hand and would agree with the lack. But, even so, some are saying that Africa and Asia, are experiencing a real move of God in many areas, that has not been visible before. We pray that it is real and true!
However, Skip has either totally repeated this Today’s Word, as he wrote either all of it, or part of it before, a few months ago, or maybe longer ( I am not computer savvy enough to relocate them easily). I remember it, as I was very disturbed about it previously, and studied it over and over– I do not recall if he every wrote a follow up on it. WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS WHERE HE IS GOING WITH IT NOW.
In our own current Western culture, we have been “blessed” beyond all measure in material goods, but have we – even those that name themselves as True Christians of THE WAY, have we used it to bring glory and honor to the Heavenly Father, the Creator of the Universe, The King of Kings? This prosperity that has been spread among more common people than any other culture ever in existence, has only brought more people into sinful life patterns than ever before. And it may be short term–sorry, that I can not be positive on that–but signs sure point that way.
Years ago I started a long term study on our social and community responsibilities ( for me, my husband, and our large extended family) from the Bible and I would definitely say a Hebraic view. ( without knowledge of Hebrew–but many study books, helps, through the years of all kinds). We saw in the Western view that the Gov. is more responsible for the poor and needy, and therefore ” the church” –as most people would current call the different denominations, is not responsible for them. This helped us look further into questioning what “the church” does with the tithe. ( we were in churches that taught one-tenth belongs to the Lord–before taxes, etc. etc. — We became very discouraged about ” the church”— We began ministring one on one as the Lord just opened the doors and placed people in our yard, path, wherever, and still do. Sometimes when I am very tired, ” I say to my 81 year old husband, ” I am afraid to open the door and go outside to work in the yard.” And his reply will be something like this, “Yes, I hope you don’t, I know you will find someone out there and give them whatever they need.” –which usually includes him having to help me get it to them—– sometimes the need is just kindness, joy, and prayer.
We have had no hidden agenda to promote anything: no web site, no money ever taken, nothing materially to sell, just acting out what God had worked in. My husband still has two meager jobs that keep us with enough money to help others. Our SS and some savings keep us with the real necessities We lived in the City when our lives 39 years ago began to change drastically, and we had access to many Godly speakers coming from every direction in many different denominational churches, even Synagoue and Jewish Community Center.– ( long before we heard about any Christian groups walking in Messianic teachings). But our search was valid and it caused us to move more into searching and seeking Jesus and a relationship with Him. All scriptures, in both Covenants, point to the coming of Jesus and the cross that Carl Roberts rightly never omits! PTL for the Cross–
I hope this will bless you, and please continue to ” keep on seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteouness & keep on keeping on”( righteouness– literally in right standing with Him).— May it always be true in our lives, until that last breath of life! His Word is True and endures forever! Praise His Many Holy Names–most of whom we do not even Know, nor can speak!
LaVaye B.
In light of the commandment given to Moses to build the Tabernacle, and the Spirit of God always working in the lives of His people, those having “ears to hear” would have been “impressed” upon to give when they heard the request, I concede that they were not commanded per se but rather moved in their hearts. Ever had the compulsion to do something, give a monetary amount that you KNEW was God speaking and sensed if you did not do it, you were being disobedient? Yes, willing is the key here. This is the basis of being a cheerful giver isn’t it? I will submit though that we are willing and “feel” compelled to give when the need is known due to the love that God places within our hearts. I cannot presume to speak for anyone else, but my giving has increased tremendously as I learn about the LORD’s way. Any amens out there?
Amen!!
“Increase and multiply” doesn’t mean the obvious in any sense except babies”
“Matthew 13:12 “For whoever has, to him more shall be given”
Hi Saralou,
I think you make some very interesting points.
In my view, it is very easy to “increase and multiply,” but very difficult to raise children properly.
And irresponsible to bring children into this world if we can’t afford them.
But unfortunately I don’t have any solutions to offer 🙂
Regarding Matthew 13:12 “For whoever has, to him more shall be given”
Aren’t we talking about “spiritual” abundance rather than “material” abundance?
“Regarding Matthew 13:12 “For whoever has, to him more shall be given”
“Aren’t we talking about “spiritual” abundance rather than “material” abundance?”
Hey Michael,
I think so–but it doesn’t matter. I also think that Father made certain laws that don’t change…like gravity. like giving . like sowing and reaping.
Of course (and this puts me in the nutjob corner) I also believe that as I am transformed into the image of God, ever increasing in the mind of Jesus, constantly completely abiding in Jesus and His words, the physical and the spiritual merge in such a way that abundance is abundance. You can’t separate God’s provision from God’s provision by labeling one material one one spiritual. We walk by faith, not by stuff. Stuff comes as we walk by faith, not before we do it.
I’m kinda stuck in the “hear God and obey” rut. If HE says to give material stuff to someone, my response is supposed to be to do it. I follow the “established at the word of two or + witnesses” rule of thumb because I know Jesus didn’t give to every single beggar in Israel much less Samaria. He didn’t give material stuff nor spiritual stuff to every needy person in the “household of faith,” nor did His disciples. Jesus said that He only did what Father said to do; no more, no less.
God didn’t tell animals to increase and multiply. My impression of the context of “increase and multiply” does, of course, include breeding but that’s not increasing as I understand this. If parenting is not involved then it’s only breeding. I suspect increase has some element of stature, wisdom, territory. If all one does is breed, one cannot adequately expand one’s territory thru’ family and kingdom building because no one is Godly=no one is wise. People die when they don’t fear God.
A Hebrew scholar may have to talk about cultural views of procreational and recreational sex. Contrary to Roman rules, I think it’s stupid to make babies willy nilly…unless you heard God on the issue. I also think that even if you didn’t hear God, if you haven’t the faith to raise the babies you make, you should at least have enough respect for yourself and the Kingdom, to stop making them. If you don’t believe that Father provides for that which HE ordains, then you’re not capable of parenting nor agreeing with Him o provide for the offspring HE blesses you with. (not you, personally, Michael.)
Mark 4:24 And He was saying to them, “Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides
Hi Saralou,
My point was that if God always rewards virtuous action with material goods, then we must conclude that material wealth is a sign of virtue.
But that clearly is not the case; for example, Bernie Madoff is a very wealthy crook.
In Matthew 13:12, Jesus is talking about why he speaks in parables.
Only if you can see and hear the mysteries of the kingdom already (have spiritual understanding) will his parables add to your spiritual “bank account.”
It has nothing to do with material wealth, as far as I can tell.
“have spiritual understanding”
Just to expand a bit on what it means to have “spiritual understanding.”
It seems to me that Jesus is saying that we must put “first things first.”
And we can either “read” the Torah or “hear” someone tell us the story.
But in either case we must understand the Torah from the beginning.
We need to know that God created the heavens and earth.
And that God created the image of man with an ideal design:
God created man in the image of himself
in the image of God he created him
male and female he created them
Genesis 1:27
In my view, this is the image of man that Jesus models for us.
For me the two most important questions are:
1. Who is God?
2. What can man become?
This giving is a tricky thing. As with everything we do as believers, we need discernment. Otherwise we fall into the trap of keeping up the lazy and the shyster. It is undoubtedly true that the poor would be with us always and the one who will not live a productive life should not be supported in his slothful lifestyle. I would be very willing to help someone with a huge family, or someone who had run upon hard times and who had done all they could to trim living expenses. I just heard a friend of mine talking about saving $ by forgoing some of the luxuries he had become accustomed to in order to give to the orphanage we are collecting staples for.
Interestingly, it is not just the Jewish and Christians who are giving. We make such a fuss about give to this and that because it is the right thing to do. Many secular organizations raise huge amounts of financial and material support for worthy causes. One of the tenets of Islam is to provide also for the poor. So there must be a deeper issue involved here.
In Exodus 35 as they were in the earliest stage of building the Tabernacle, the LORD commanded everyone to bring from offerings from what they had. They gave these offerings because He commanded and were WILLING in their hearts. In fact, they gave so much Moses had to tell them to stop! Imagine that. This is the thing…how is your heart when you are aware of a need? Does it become hard (through disobedience to the prompting to give) or is it the heart of flesh that God promised to give us so He can use it for His ways and His glory? Where does your treasure lie, in the getting a return on your gift here and now, or even chalking up your reward in Heaven? OR are you blessed to be a blessing? The LORD has already shown us that our morality and character cannot be legislated without a “change of heart”. If I understand this correctly, the Zero Sum is we came here with nothing and will leave the same way we came. All we have in between the dashes is a gift from the Sovereign and is to be used as He leads. If the indwelling Spirit of God can convict of sin and open our understanding to the ways of God, surely He can also peek inside our purses and help us make decisions about material things too. LORD bless you all in abundance!
Nice comment, Mary. Just one small point. God did not command the children of Israel to give to the construction of the Tabernacle. Notice that the verse says, “those of a willing heart.” The only people who gave were the ones willing to do so. They were not compelled. Try that in church! Why did God not demand the giving? Because then it would not be a gift, would it?
— only people who gave were the ones willing to do so. They were not compelled. Try that in church! Why did God not demand the giving? Because then it would not be a gift, would it?–
Are there churches that demand (or command) we give? Maybe I’ve lived a (blessed) and sheltered life, but voluntary giving (willing) and even “cheerful” giving is what I have encountered. G-d is not interested in our “10%”- he is interested in our 100%. It “all” belongs to Him. “of thine own have we given unto Thee”. The “tithe” is but a reminder ( to some, obviously a “painful” one), it “all” comes from Him. He is the Source of every good thing. All of life is a gift my friend. Every stitch of it. That beautiful thing you’re married to? One of His gifts. Those beautiful children at your table? Gifts of G-d. Please,please pause and breath in and out. Now thank Him for those breaths of air that just filled your lungs. You sir, are one air bubble away from a babbling idiot. Life is extremely fragile. Y’shua is the “glue of the galaxy!” He is (both) the Creator and Sustainer of Life. He causes the sun to come up in the morning, the dew and the rain to fall from the sky, the cool breezes across your face, the times of refreshing that come from His presence are His gift to us. All I have, all I ever hope to be goes something like this. “Except the LORD build the house- they labor in vain who build it.
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3.11).
I’ve always heard- “God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” (1 Corinthians 9.7) Yes, there are “rich” people in the world and there are also those who are “poor”. What is this verse saying?- Psalm 37:25: “I have been young; now I am old; yet not once have I seen the righteous abandoned or his descendants begging for bread”. Me too, David, I have seen the “prosperity” of the righteous. “”For the LORD is good to those who call upon His name.”
Amen, Mary. Discernment. It’s taken many years of increasing fellowship to get out of God’s way when He wants to work on someone thru’ their circumstance and I have the where with all to blunt the force of His work. Jesus praised the widow for giving her mite…she put it in the temple box. Used for what? And that temple now?
I am chagrined to confess that I don’t trust other believers enough to give my last mite to them to redistribute. So I fall back on hearing God even tho’ it is written. Plus, my husband gives everything to everyone so my job surely is to make good our contractual obligations. Balance. I’ve got a ways to go to become the kind of One marriage was designed to exemplify much less other believers! Woe is me.
By Grace, I will not leave with nothing tho’ I did enter with nothing. My life is NOT a zero sum game because of Jesus Christ. By Grace I will have crowns to place at Jesus’ feet when I leave here. I could have said “no” the Holy Spirit and left with terrible and horrid baggage for which I would be judged. But my Jesus, HE fixed all that, bless His Name.
Paul says to stretch for the prize. The writer of Hebrews says that it’s ok to be in this for a “reward.”
Those concepts are different from an economic attitude of finite resources which is what a zero sum game is.
I strongly disagree that if I’m in Jesus, my resources are ever finite. I don’t understand how that could have been a godly attitude in a Semetic, middle eastern culture. On the other hand, I suppose if God drew the boundaries of your country and there wasn’t a land inheritance for your grandsons, you might think of resources as limited.
Off on a tangent: Those former slaves in the wilderness, Mary; how long had they been free people? I’m not denigrating their generosity by any means but there is a little context to take into consideration. They were slaves. For generations they hadn’t had wealth. They knew it was valuable which may be why they gave so very much. They gave their best gifts to God’s house and it may not have been as difficult as it would have been had there been a direct relationship between brick making and the gold they gave. Oh, I know, in the cosmic view of things there was a magnificent connection between the two but for someone who only a few weeks ago was a slave, to win the lottery…. We’ve all seen those lottery winner follow-up stories and don’t even need them since we have Solomon’s wisdom.