"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."

Introduction : There is a clear difference between God and Satan. Our God is a God of love, who gives life to all. But Satan is the evil spirit of hatred that steals and grabs what we have. Satan even tried to steal God´s throne and deceived Adam into eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thus falling from God´s grace. Satan even tempted Jesus to worship him. God is the source of all blessings through giving, while Satan is the source of all evil through stealing and grabbing.


1. The blessings of a giver.
    1) By revealing love.
        ① God gave His only son.
        ② Jesus gave His life (1Jn 4:10).
        ③ The Holy Spirit gave himself (1Jn 4:13). Therefore, God is the source of blessing,
            happiness, and joy (1Jn 4:16).
    2) God is love. Therefore, He reveals himself in the practice of loving.
        ① Dr. Albert Schweitzer spent his whole life in Africa. God was in his life. God is
            happiness and joy (1Jn 4:12).
        ② Mother Teresa spent her life in the slums of Calcutta. God appeared throughout
            her life. Therefore, she was happy and joyous (1Jn 3:18).
    3) One with a lot of love gives a lot. One with only a little bit of love gives only a little.
        One with a lot of hatred steals. One with a little hatred grabs and refuses to give.
        ① The God of love within us is the source of happiness and joy.
        ② The hatred from Satan within a person is the source of misfortune and sadness
            (Jn 10:10).

2. The life of true happiness and joy.
    1) The Cross is where Jesus gave himself for the sake of humankind (Isa 53:10). It was
        a place of suffering but also a place of infinite joy because God-the source of joy-
        practices supreme love.
    2) Sacrificing oneself and giving happiness and joy to neighbors has a boomerang
        effect (Jn 12:24).
    3) What should we give?
        ① Give spiritually the Word and prayer (Ro 12:7-8).
        ② Give faith, hope, love, peace, joy, comfort, and courage (Heb 10:23-24).
        ③ Give the resources of materials. Giving is the practice of loving. God lives in love
            and is the source of happiness and joy (Ps 112:5, 9).

3. The life of a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running
    over.
    ○ The parable of the sower.
    1) Seed that fell along the path. In a life of selfishness, self-centeredness, and
        indifference to neighbors, seeds of happiness and joy are trampled to death. There
        is nothing in return (Mt 13:19).
    2) Seed that fell on rocky places. Love that is reluctantly practiced to show off to others
        will dry up when things are unfavorable. You do not receive anything in return
        (Mt 13:20-21).
    3) Seed that fell among thorns-imitation love, disguised as charity and love as a means
        to fulfill one´s greed (people who take advantage of orphans, the disabled, and the
        unfortunate). Only death and misery are their possession (Mt 13:22).
    4) Seed that fell on good soil (Mt 13:23).
        ① People with the true heart of Jesus. Love that gives from within oneself.
        ② People that believe in God and practice good deeds (Ps 37:3; Heb 13:16).
        ③ People who consider a neighbor´s happiness and joy as their own happiness
            and joy. Their act of love will bear fruit 30, 60, and 100 fold
            (Gal 6:8-10; Rev 22:12).


Conclusion : Why is this world so cruel, unhappy, and full of sadness? It is because the world belongs to the devil, and people become full of selfishness and greed. People try to steal other´s property and grab hold of their possessions-refusing to share with others. People do not let God live in them who is the source of happiness and joy (Ps 127:1-2).