Day 2-"Help me be generous." Luke 6:38

"Give & it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, & shaken together, & running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." Luke 6:38 (kjv)

Give-deliver up, grant, have power, yield.
measure- limited portion, degree
pressed-pack
shaken-stir up
bosom-a bay, creek
mete-ascertain in size by a fixed standard

What a promise! I think one should also keep in mind that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7) & that He is not to be tempted (Luke 4:12). Basically, one should give from a pure heart, not giving in an attempt to earn a blessing. One should also be careful to give without ostentation (Matthew 6:3).
I'm getting that Jesus is saying that whatever one grants to another (give without charge) the granter will receive no less than that in return. That stirs up an unseen power. When one yields to this verse God will use others to not only return what one gave but one will have blessings abundantly stored in one's "bay"-figuratively: one's building (Webster's dictionary for "bay").

FYI-I study from a Thompson's Chain King James Reference Bible. Along side ever verse there are topics with numbers referred to that topic. In the topic index of the Bible, you look up that number & there is a list of verses and even sub topics with other verses linked to your particular area of study.

Upon looking up the topic of giving in reference to Luke 6:38, I was lead to De 16:17 & Matthew 5:42.

De 16:17 "Every man shall give as he is able, according to the bless of the Lord thy God which He hath given thee."
Matthew 5:42 "Give to him that asketh thee, & from him that would borrow of thee, turn not thou away."

I'm getting that if one truly stands on Luke 6:38, & believes it without a doubt, then one's heart shouldn't be hesitant to give. In the past, though I was able, I've turned people down not believing they would pay me back though they said they would but taking into account De. 16:17, Matthew 5:42 & tying those up with Luke 6:38, I should have never turned them away. Notice De. says "as he is able". Even one isn't in a position to give the full request, a portion is acceptable to God. I don't believe it is the amount that is important. It is the state of one's heart & just the mere fact that one delivered up a need. After all, all giving is the passing on & transfer of one blessing to another person and so on and so on. I say transfer of blessing because all we have came from God anyway.

My Prayer: "Dear Lord, help me to be generous. Help me to give from a pure heart & without ostentation so that pride doesn't seep into my spirit. Giving has power & I thank you for the blessings you have given me which has enabled me with the power to give...activating Luke 6:38 to manifest back to me. Your WORD truly is alive; don't led greed and or stinginess to kill it in my life. Forgive me for turning those that have asked of me away. I pray you put in me a greater passion to give because you have given so much to me. In Jesus' name...Amen.

Personal Testimony: I was convicted in doing this study because I was reminded of a time when I was pregnant with Michael & in such a state of reliance to God that I knew without a doubt God would take care of us. Treaty and I had saved all of Elyza's things for Michael. All we had for Elyza was given...we didn't purchase one thing for her until she was about 4 months old. Being that I was so sold out to God, it no thing to give all we had saved to Michael to a couple in need. I knew that if God provided before for Elyza, he would do the same with Michael. Treaty and I spent the majority of our marriage struggling financially but I was so at peace about giving up the items. Sure enough, God brought people into our lives who just happened to have all we had given away and not just the minimum but better! I wanted a convertible crib..a crib that I could change into a full size bed. Treaty wanted a Pooh Bear theme for Michael. I met a lady at work who said,"Do you need a crib? My grandson never sleeps in his bed. It is sitting in the garage." Of course we needed one. So when she brought the crib over it was a convertible crib and she just happened to have an entire set of Pooh Bear decorations for the wall, Pooh bed set and even a Pooh mobile! God also provided us with a new swing, bathtub...everything we had given away was given right back! Just telling this story has me tearing up...I feel so guilty for being so stingy. I feel so guilty for doubting God EVER! I'm reminded of what David said in the book of Psalms. "My testimonies are my counselors." When you are in doubt or fearful, remember what God has done for you! (I'm talking to myself too!) Be blessed!