The Measure of your Gift

Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Luke 6:34-38

34 And if ye lend [to them] of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil. 
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 
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.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What should we hope for when we give to others? (v.34)
2) Whom should we give to, love, and be kind to? Why? (v.35)
3) Whom should we show mercy towards? Why? (v.36)
4) Why shouldn't we judge or condemn others? Why should we forgive? (v.37)
5) Why and how should we give? (v.38)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) Have you ever given to someone in need without expecting to be repaid? If so, what happened?
7) When have you ever demonstrated divine love for someone you did not care for or for someone who wronged you? Please describe one such instance.
8) When you give to others, do you ever consider whether they are deserving of your gift, or not? Please describe a time when you gave to someone whom you judged to be undeserving of your gift. What happened as a result of your giving.

PRINCIPLES
9) God expects us to give to anyone in need.
10) We give with our time, treasure and/or talent.
11) God requires us to give whether the recipient deserves what we give, or not.
12) We will always reap what we sow and with the same measure that we sow.