“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 back to you.” ( Luke 6:38)

Jesus most famous message, the Sermon on the Mount, is a beautiful message about Kingdom living (see 6:20-49) Those who trust in God, Jesus tells us, exhibit the life of God in their attitudes, actions, and relationships in opposition to how the world normally works. He tells us to love those who don’t love us, to do good to those who hurt us, and to give to those who can’t or won’t pay us back. It’s revolutionary stuff.

On an intensely personal level, Jesus gives four promises in the form of two don’ts and two dos: Don’t judge people and you won’t be judged, don’t condemn and you won’t be condemned, forgive and you’ll be forgiven, and give and you’ll receive (see 6:37-38). We often look at the promise of giving in isolation, but it’s in every aspect of the Kingdom of Life.

Trusting God transforms us inside and out. As our behavior toward others changes. He promises to pour His blessing on us. Our trust in God’s ability to provide for us results in our giving generously to God and His causes. God opens the storehouses of heaven to bless us. Jesus couldn’t have been more expressive: It’s so much that it has to be packed in and it still runs over the top.

If we are stingy, we won’t enjoy giving the little we give, and God withholds His abundant blessings. But if we give generously and joyfully, we’ve better look out!