Running Over Blessings

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.”

The phrase “running over” means that you have more than you can handle. It would be good in the LORD’s work if every ministry were running over. When you are running over, you are being a blessing to others. In other words, there are so many blessings that you can’t contain it, and it runs over so that others can receive part of the blessings. The key to running over blessings is the first word in this verse, “give.” You cannot obtain running over blessings unless you give several things. You will notice that in between giving and running over that several things occur. My friend, you can’t expect to be running over unless these things happen. Let me share with you what it takes to give so that you can have blessings that run over.

First, giving takes time. You will never see God’s blessings in your ministry without investing time into it. I often tell people that the time you put into your ministry determines the blessings you get out of it. I have found in my personal life that when I give less time in a week towards the ministry that my ministry suffers. Never expect the running over blessings without investing time into your ministry.

Second, giving takes energy. Too many people want to serve the LORD on reserve energy, and then they wonder why they don’t see God’s blessing. People can read the energy of a person, and when they see that you are not putting all your effort into what you are doing, or are not excited about it, they surmise that what you are doing is not that important to you. Never expect running over blessings with a reserved energy investment.

Third, giving takes sacrifice. How much are you willing to measure out to God? We live in times when people are more interested in playing than serving, and then they want to say that the old paths don’t work. The old paths do work, but you must be willing to sacrifice to see them work. Christ sacrificed His life for your salvation, and the believer cannot expect running over blessings without sacrifice.

Fourth, giving takes pressure. The verse above says, “pressed down.” Being pressed down means that there is pressure. You will never see God’s blessings on your ministry without putting pressure on yourself to do more. Putting pressure on yourself with high goals is what motivates you to give beyond yourself so you must trust God. Never expect your ministry to grow without pressure. If you want to have running over blessings, you must set goals and expectations for yourself that put pressure on you.

Fifth, giving takes patience. You can’t expect immediate returns. Be patient with the process. God says, “it shall be given unto you,” which means it will take time for everything to come into place. In the meantime, stay busy and keep working.

Sixth, giving takes endurance. You will notice that God says that you will be “shaken together.” You will never experience God’s blessings without trials. My advice is to keep working and never give up, even when the trials come. You will find that the running over blessings will come if you will not let the trials of life stop you from what you are doing for God.

Author: Allen Domelle