# Seeking God, Finding God: Generosity in the Second Week of Lent
*2009-03-08*

> Bill Young reflects on Luke 6:38, using the everyday act of measuring flour to illustrate true generosity, and invites listeners to examine how they measure up in giving during Lent.

## Scripture and the Image of the Measuring Cup

We begin with Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you—good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over; for with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” The Gospel uses the image of a measuring cup that is pressed, shaken, and filled to the brim. In my childhood kitchen, we would sift flour, tap the cup, and let it settle so that a full cup held more than it seemed at first glance. That simple act mirrors the generosity Jesus calls us to—giving a full, overflowing measure, not merely the minimum.

## What True Generosity Means

The Greek word for “measure” in this passage conveys a standard of generosity, not a judgment of what we deserve. Jesus isn’t urging us to give the smallest amount we can get away with; He invites us to give as if our cup were already full, even when it isn’t. We should not give with a calculated expectation of return. Rather, God promises that when we give generously, He will reward us abundantly—often in ways we cannot foresee.

## Practical Application for the Day

Ask yourself: does your day involve any kind of measuring? Whether you’re using a ruler, a measuring cup, or allocating time in a document, let each act remind you to measure up in generosity. Consider how you can give a little extra—perhaps a kind word, a small donation, or a moment of your time—so that your “cup” overflows.

## Prayer

Gracious God, grant me a generous heart that gives freely, trusting in Your promise that what I offer will be returned to me in abundance. Help me to see every ordinary measurement as an opportunity to reflect Your overflowing love.

*When we give as if our cup were already full, God fills it beyond our expectations.*