³⁸ give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38 ESV)

I think about the anxiety I have suffered from at different points in my life and I now realize two very important things. First, that my anxiety was something that I felt like I had little control over, but should have given it to the one who has complete control. Second, that not doing so, especially when it came to anxiety overly my financial well being, was selfish and did not show a strong faith.

Yes, anxiety over what is going to happen is something that can be very hard to control. It can be tied to depression which we spend a lot of time and money trying to medicate ourselves out of. Looking back, and even now, I see that today’s scripture is where my anxiety really stemmed from. I feared lack probably mostly because I had been measuring poorly what I gave to God and was now worried what He would give back to me.

Start by understanding that you cannot out-give God. He gave the ultimate sacrifice with Christ. Then He goes on to give most of us lives of abundance. Then what do we do in return? How much of our time, talent and treasure do we really give back to God? The idea of a tenth of what we have is supposed to be a starting point. Furthermore, it is more important that it comes from a heart of thanksgiving.

God loves a cheerful giver. What is our good measure?