When we think about giving, we have been schooled many times to think that the tithe is a "good measure." However, the understanding of Luke 6:38 gives added insight into what kind of measure we should use in our giving.
A description from a customs book called Palestine Explored by James Neil taught me more about this verse. The professional measurer in the time of Christ had a basket that he used when measuring the grain for sale. It was called a "timneh" and filled to the brim, measured about 37 pounds of wheat. We would call that a good measure in our culture. But the point of having a person who was in charge of the measure was that he would be able to fill the basket to overflowing. To do this, the measurer would shape a cone as in the picture and bring it to a triangle point so that there could not be any more grain added without it overflowing. This would add 7 pounds to the basket. BUT, if it was also shaken together and pressed down before the cone was built, it would add a total of 11 pounds more to the filling. This results in an increase of the measure of about 30 per cent!
Generous giving in this fashion is realized when we decide to give a certain amount and then add that extra 30 per cent to it freely, cheerfully, and knowing that the promise of God's abundance will be added to us again.
Luke 6:38b (Magiera Translation):
For with the same measure that you measure, it will be measured to you.
The measure that we use will be used to give back to us. If you were going to tithe $100, then try adding $30 dollars more and see what happens. We need to prove that what our Savior said about generous giving works -- it does! Try it and see.
Jan Magiera
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