Day 76: Making Pie

Luke 6:38 :

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you.”

When we give something, it will come back to us even more. This is Jesus’ economy. Jesus gives to us and then we give it to others. God then causes it to grow and loop back around and bless us again.

One of the things that bothers me in politics today is the idea that we must “all share a piece of the pie.” Now, I agree with sharing. What I don’t agree with is the “the pie” concept. Jesus clearly says that when we give a lot to others, we will get it back in “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.” Jesus’ pie expands and grows. Perhaps a pie factory would be a better analogy. The problem with the “pie” analogy is that it propagates the idea that resources are limited. The idea can then be used politically to justify theft as being both legal and necessary. This isn’t at all what Jesus teaches.

When people talk about “pie” they create an economy of lack and that creates an environment of fear. It promotes the idea of protecting what is ours rather than sharing out of our abundance.

It is important that we not be deceived by this. We need to recognize our own property because without it, we have nothing to give and without anything to give, how can it be given back to us?

Instead, it is good for us to recognize the riches that God has poured out to us today and realize that we have a King for a Father. When Jesus returns to earth, we will see this economy work like it never has before. For now, we should share as much as we possibly can.

The effect of someone being greedy and withholding good from others is pretty obvious. We should not justify greed because it clearly opposes God’s economy as we read here. Those who withhold from others should get little in return. When greedy people get big returns it is clear that injustice has been done. We should be very careful to not judge the rich for being rich, however. If someone gives a lot they may end up getting a lot in return like Jesus says here. Judging them by the outside appearance would be inconsistent. So let’s not think like the world does about protecting our pie, but like Jesus does about giving generously to others.