With the Same Measure You Mete

To mete means ‘to dispense or allot or give out or allocate or administer.’ On Monday 7th July, we surprised our boss with a cake, as we celebrated her birthday.

The day before, I had inboxed her inquiring about work. She texted back with a by the way, saying ‘…They will confirm tomorrow. Sorry for the late response. I’m a year older today & I’ve been celebrating and thanking God.’

No one else at work knew about this; and God probed my heart not to settle until I did something about this information. I called my colleagues and gave them wind of the news.

I had already drawn a budget, and the individual contributions met it. I ordered for the cake, and awaited for the morrow.

On Monday’s afternoon, after most work had wound down, she saw me entering with many sodas and plastic cups. She confessed later that she thought I had been mighty thirsty this time around!

The cake had been hidden somewhere. I brought it out like a clown at a park and began singing whilst the intern recorded a video. She turned amid what had been an ongoing conversation regarding pending invoices with the company admin — shocked and in wonder!

All colleagues present joined in song.

She blushed, groaned, laughed — overwhelmed. She received other gifts as well complimenting ours. And later at departure she whispered, “I do such for others. But when mine arrives, sometimes it passes just like that.”

That is when God re-echoed Luke 6:38 to me:

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. (KJV)

The NIV says ‘Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’

The Bible seems clear on the ‘measure’ aspect. According to the amount that you administer, will others give to you. The same Bible says God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. (Gal 6:7)

Sometimes we give, and it seems like this word has lied. But it never does. His very word states that it will not return to Him void. If He has stated with the same measure you allot, then it must happen to you.

I could feel her receive the joy others receive when she surprises them after stealthy plots to arrange celebrations for them. Now it was her turn!

This is to encourage you who’s been giving your all but it seems the energy isn’t reciprocated. God is not blind. It shall be given to you, shaken together, running over!

Not all seeds sown germinate in one go. Beans sprout much quicker than a jackfruit tree. But when it comes, it is a giant that outlives the beans that came out faster than it. It’d as well take long to produce its first fruit, but keep sowing. Keep giving.

One day … your jackfruit won’t cease to bud. Your consistency in being generous to others is your way of watering it as a seedling. Don’t grow weary of doing good. It shall return to you, not merely as you gave it, but running over!

Luke prophesies that men shall give to you. It may not be the very same people you gave to. But the universe has a way of responding to spiritual law. It’s like gravity. Jump and it’ll bring you down automatically. Give and you shall be given!

Conclusively, let’s note the ‘measure’ theme. Don’t merely give once a year. You might be given to only once a year! But if generosity becomes part of you, others giving to you will also become part of your life! You’d have sowed while weeping but you will reap with joy!

For while I felt unsettled planning the party, God was fulfilling His word through me for my boss’ giving to others. He knew my employer needed to taste of being given to! And O isn’t it a warm gesture of Him!

Let’s be discerning as well when God puts unrest in our hearts to do such things. He is subtly fulfilling His word to a soul. One time you’d be the one receiving. Another you’d be the men giving to others’ bosoms for the individual measures with which they gave.

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Psalms‬ ‭126‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.

Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
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