Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you» (Luke 6:38)
A baker from a Canadian village used to buy butter on a regular basis from a local dairy in order to bake his bread. One day, he began to suspect that the packs of butter were lighter than usual. When he checked the weight of the bricks, he found out that they all were short-weighted. So, he reported it to his supplier and the latter was summoned to testify before the municipal court judge.
«Can you show me your weights?» asked the judge, interested to see if they were manipulated.
«I don’t use weights,» answered the dairyman.
Stunned, the judge exclaimed,
«So then, how do you know your measurements are accurate?»
«It’s very simple, your Honor,» explained the dairyman. «When the baker started buying butter from my shop, I began buying his bread. Since then, I use his one pound loaf to weigh m butter. If the butter is not the right weight, it’s because the bread is short-weighted.
«I (J) remember an even darker experience. I acquired a retail space in Madrid for my family. The place had been a poultry and egg store for decades. owners decided to retire and sell the place. We closed the deal and, with the same transaction, got some tools that were useless to us but were part of the sale. Among them was an old weighing scale with iron weights which was used to sell their products. Paying closer attention to the tools, I realized that all of them had a hidden secret. In the lower part of the scale was a cubic magnet which fitted well at the bottom of the weights. Thus, they could freely lighten their weights when they wished. Months later, I found out that the former owner had died while his widow had lived for many years. I got chills when I read the text: «You shall not have in your bag differing weights, a heavy and a light. You shall not have in your house differing measures, a large and a small. You shall have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure, that your days may be lengthened in the land which the Lord your God is giving you» (Deut. 25:13-15. Could it be true that the shopkeeper’s premature death had something to do with his alleged dishonesty? Only God knows the truth, but the verse highlights the importance of being honest.
Today’s text goes even further. It invites us to give beyond measure and, thus, receive in abundance. Experience today the blessings of this promise. Be generous to your fellow man and you will immediately notice a better relationship with them and other substantial rewards.