HERE we have a professional measurer at his work. He shakes the corn well down into the vessel, and then by the adroit use of his bony fingers builds it up above the sides of the vessel into a kind of pyramid. We can almost see his fingers deftly piling up the corn to a point as we look at the picture. It is his business to fill the vessel to overflowing, and not too easy is it to give the good measure required, but by long practice he has acquired the perfection he displays. A bare bushel filled up close would not be called “good measure “in the Eastern market where our friend is carrying on his profession, so that his success in life depends upon his cleverness in piling up the corn.
The Lord took up His parables from the things of everyday life around Him, and when illustrating His teaching He one day thus referred to the measurer: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom." (Luke 6:3838Give, 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. (Luke 6:38).) Now this is very different from being a giver of good measure by way of business! We are exhorted to give according to the way God gives to us, and in order to do so we need very much grace. Such measuring as we have described may befit the Eastern market, since it is the trade custom there prevailing, but no custom of generosity is current in the world.
Let us observe that what we sow we reap. “Give, and it shall be given unto you." God will take the side of him who acts out the divinely given precept. And even in this life we frequently see the fulfillment of these words: “For with the same measure tha t ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." Both the self-seeking and the self-sacrificing have their reward. He who lives for others has a happier life by far than he who lives for himself. It is lighter to bear the burdens of others than to be crushed down under the burden of self. He who lives for himself, has for his portion the Wretchedness of self-occupation; while he who lives for others (though it be but in degree) has that strange ease in bearing his own burdens, which follows the bearing of the burden of others.
Our Lord is our gracious example. He was amongst us as He that served. He went about doing good. He was ever the Giver. Out of His fullness have we received, and hence the Christian has gifts to bestow, which while enriching such as receive, cannot impoverish the giver.