“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
It has been said, “When you play with fire you either get burned or smell like smoke!” And while I don’t know who said it, I can vouch for the accuracy of the statement. Except for now! Technology has proven that as time passes, convenience just seems to happen! And Katie and I were conveniently sitting by a fire, completely safe… and NOT smelling ANYTHING!
A dear friend had asked a favor. He had a large wooden yard ornament that ‘needed some repair’ and, having mentioned that I used to be in carpentry, he sprung the repair request in my direction. “Sure!” I said. “I’ll take a look at it.” When he got it to me, I couldn’t imagine how he got ‘miracle worker’ out of ‘carpentry!’ “Just take it home and look at it,” He said. So I put it in my garage.
Because ‘the thing’ was so broken and rotted, I determined there was no way it could be fixed. Every once in a while he’d ask, “did you take a look at it yet?” and I’d just laugh, thinking there was NO way he was serious! After it sat there for over a month, I heard something in his voice that made me realize ‘the thing’ was VERY sentimental and important to him. So I adjusted my impossible level.
It took a few months and plenty of ‘miracle,’ but it got done and he was more than pleased. One day we received a package at our door. Opening it I found a box of blue, glass rocks and some kind of cover! A couple weeks later an outdoor propane fireplace was delivered. In our discussions I had mentioned that we used a fireplace that burnt artificial logs, but the stink and smoke was nasty!
Last night Katie asked, “would you like a fire tonight?” Instead of a grumpy look, my face just smiled! Being the fire builder, I’m the one who ends up stinking! But now… with only the turn of a knob, we enjoy a clean, non-smelly and smokeless fire! It is WONDERFUL! And it’s all because my friend gave me something I thought was impossible, and then blessed us back in return! Just like God does!
The rules of giving were written BY God! As with most rules, there are doubters and naysayers who question the possibility of receiving AFTER giving! But just like the rule of gravity, how many times does one have to fall off something to certify it’s authenticity? Sitting beside my wife and beside a beautiful fire reminded me that… truly, one getteth AFTER one giveth! But giveth-ing cometh firsteth!
Have YOU tested God’s giving and receiving principle?
