From the Category, “The Eastern Eye”

[The Bible is an “Eastern” book. It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.”  As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.

In understanding the Scriptures it is important for us to understand the culture, but it doesn’t mean that we should necessarily follow that culture. Rather, it is in the understanding of the Eastern culture that we gain light and understanding about many things in the Bible.]

Like many other people, I practice the act of giving.  Some call it the tithe; others refer to it as abundant sharing; still others say it is the Law of Giving and Receiving.  Understanding the marketplace in Bible times gives great insight to something Jesus spoke concerning the act of giving.

I am aware that among many Christians there are differences of opinion concerning the act of giving.  Some teach that you must give ten percent, or tithe of your increase, while others say that we are no longer under the Old Testament Law and do not need to tithe.  The case is then made that Abraham did indeed tithe long before the Old Testament Law.

There is also debate on who should receive your giving: do you give net or gross, and how frequently do you give?  The purpose of this article is not to try to answer any of those questions but rather, to glean a tremendous truth that Jesus spoke concerning the act of giving.

Give And It Shall Be Given To You

In Luke’s Gospel you can read where Jesus said that if you give it will be given back to you, a good measure that is pressed down, shaken together, and then running over.  He added that with the same measure you give, it will be measured to you again.

At first glance, this “same measure” seems puzzling.  Receiving back the same measure that you gave doesn’t sound like “running over” does it?  Receiving back the “same measure” doesn’t sound like what you read in Malachi where it talks about giving and then God opening the windows of heaven to bless you back.

I have seen this “pressed down, shaken together and running over” demonstrated.  I have on occasions demonstrated it to my audience.  It is really wonderful how they operated in the Eastern marketplace.

Let’s say you come to buy flour and bring your container to purchase the amount of your container.  The merchant measures out that amount and puts it into your container. Then, the merchant does something really remarkable.

He will press down that measure of flour in your container, and then shake it, and then press it and then shake it.  As a result, your container is no longer full. It has been compressed.

The merchant then adds more flour and once again presses, and shakes it down.  He will continue that process until he cannot get any more into your container and it is literally running over the sides.  That is, in their mind, a good measure.

And so while your container is the same size, and you pay for that one measure, what you received was much more than a single measure.  In other words, what Jesus was teaching was that as you give, God will bless you back with more than what you gave.

It All Belongs To God Anyway

There are people who do not understand the great Law of Giving and Receiving.  There are those who think they have too little to be able to give.  But in not giving, they miss out on receiving back more than they give.

Many years ago I struggled with this idea of giving what I earned.  I didn’t have very much to begin with and did not want to give some of it away.  There were two things that I learned that helped me tremendously.

First I learned that everything belongs to God: everything!  Oh, I may have put in the time and labor on the job, but where did my mind and body come from?  Who gave me life in the first place?  Everything came from the Creator, and the Bible says it all belongs to Him.

Secondly, I learned that God set up this Law of Giving and Receiving so that both the giver and the receiver would be blessed.  In other words, when you give, you will receive back.  And since that time, back in 1976, I have been a consistent giver, and God has consistently blessed me back.

All of life has its cycles; there are ups and downs and highs and lows throughout all of creation. And I have seen His blessings in my life in the abundant times and in the lean times. And I have also seen very clearly over the years that you can never, ever out-give God.

This Law of Giving and Receiving is one of those universal laws that works for anyone.  Just like gravity, you don’t have to be a Christian to take advantage of operating this wonderful law.  When Jesus taught that day, he painted a vivid picture to help the listeners understand.

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

II Corinthians 9:6-11
But this I say, He who sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

As it is written, He has dispersed abroad; He has given to the poor: His righteousness remains for ever.

Malachi 3:10 and 11
Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove me now herewith, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall]not be room enough to receive it.

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, says the LORD of hosts.

Mike Verdicchio
2013

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Resources
There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the Eastern culture in which the Bible was written.  The best I know of were written by Bishop K. C. Pillai.  I have had the pleasure of listening to many recorded teaching by him.

He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced.  But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window

Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)

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