Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. Luke 6:38 NLTMy wife’s way of doing multiplication isn’t the method I learned. PVC’s had driven her to the emergency room on several occasions. As she waited to be seen, she noticed a twenty dollar bill in the seat beside her. Knowing it belonged to someone, she took it to the receptionist (who probably pocketed it later). When she told me what she’d done, I scolded her. We needed that money. The fuel in our car was nearing empty, and payday was a few days away. She defended her honesty by reminding me it was the right thing to do.
Fast forward one month. While I was attending the Asheville Christian Writer’s Conference, my wife and two friends went “junking” at thrift stores. Knowing I had been looking for a copy of Eugene Peterson’s The Message, my wife was quick to spot a copy at one of the stores. When she asked how much it was, the salesperson said it was free.
As I was getting ready to add this Bible to my collection, I noticed a bank envelope nestled inside. Noticing a twenty dollar bill, I took it to her thinking she had stashed left-over money from our trip. Imagine our surprise when 24 fifty dollar bills and 4 twenty dollar bills emerged. The twenty had multiplied.
We’ve always believed Jesus’ promise: if we’ll faithfully give, he will give back to us. And what he gives will far surpass the amount we originally gave.
Granted, this is the only time we’ve experienced an incident like this—and certainly don’t expect it to happen again, but his faithfulness has abounded in many other ways. We’ve never lacked food, drink, clothes, or a place to stay. And may I admit, I love my wife’s—and God’s, way of multiplying better than the way I learned in school.
Be trustworthy in giving, and God will be faithful in returning.
Prayer: Father, prompt us to give out of love for You as we trust You to supply our needs.
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