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

John Wesley said:

Into your bosom – Alluding to the mantles the Jews wore, into which a large quantity of corn might be received. With the same measure that ye mete with, it shall be measured to you again – Amazing goodness! So we are permitted even to carve for ourselves! We ourselves are, as it were, to tell God how much mercy he shall show us! And can we be content with less than the very largest measure? Give then to man, what thou designest to receive of God.

Matthew Henry said:

Give, and it shall be given to you. God, in his providence, will recompense it to you; it is lent to him, and he is not unrighteous to forget it (Hebrews 6:10), but he will pay it again. Men shall return it into your bosom; for God often makes use of men as instruments, not only of his avenging, but of his rewarding justice. If we in a right manner give to others when they need, God will incline the hearts of others to give to us when we need, and to give liberally, good measure pressed down and shaken together. They that sow plentifully shall reap plentifully. Whom God recompenses he recompenses abundantly.

Although Christ’s command to give and His promise of return on your investment have been dreadfully distorted and abused by prosperity preachers, it remains true that Luke 6:38 is still the Word of God, as all Scripture is inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16). All too often we see these flaky Word of Faith Pentecostals preaching that if you give money to their ministry, then God will give you a financial blessing in return, in proportion to the amount you donated to them. We know that these men are wolves in sheep’s clothing, manipulating the Scriptures for their own financial gain (2 Pet. 2:3). I have certain televangelists in mind like Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn, and Robert Tilton–men who are materialistic and proud of their wealth. It is sad that the devil has used these men to steal the blessed teaching on financial providence that Jesus gave to us when He spoke the words in Luke 6:38. The promise is quite literal and not symbolic. The teaching is plain: If you give a little bit of money to God’s cause (that is, what you feel to be a truly godly Gospel ministry), then you have a right to trust and pray for God to give you a little bit of a financial blessing, of whatever it is you ask of Him. God’s way is greater and superior than a genie with only three measly wishes: He is infinite in His providence.

God says, “All the animals of the forest are Mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills” (Ps. 50:10). God has more wealth available for us than you can imagine, but if you want Him to help you out financially, then you’re going to have to put your money where your mouth is, and trust Him with some of your money. It’s one thing to say, “Lord, I trust that you will provide for all of my financial needs,” but never give any money to God’s cause. It’s quite another to say, “Lord, I trust that you will provide for all of my financial needs; and much more so as I give to your cause, and wait for your help according to Luke 6:38, where you promised that if I give money to You, then men will give money back to me, and more so, with interest.” God has so fixed His covenant of providence that when men trust in Him and put their money where their mouth is, and they back up their faith with action (James 2:26), and they give to the cause of God–that He will reward their financial trust fund, with a financial blessing in return, according to their faith. Is it unemployment, debt, a car, a college education, medical bills, rent? What is your financial need? Pray your heart out to God; give money as you are able to a true ministry, and ask God to help you financially in whatever area you specify to Him in prayer. God is a good, good Father; and He has provided this as part of the covenant of providence for Christians.