Wednesday: Giving Opens the Door to Receiving

Reading: Luke 6:38; 2 Kings 4:8–17 (ESV)

Luke 6:3838 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

2 Kings 4:8–178 One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food.9 And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way.10 Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.”

11 One day he came there, and he turned into the chamber and rested there.12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite.” When he had called her, she stood before him.13 And he said to him, “Say now to her, ‘See, you have taken all this trouble for us; what is to be done for you? Would you have a word spoken on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?’” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.”14 And he said, “What then is to be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.”15 He said, “Call her.” And when he had called her, she stood in the doorway.16 And he said, “At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant.”17 But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her.

Devotional: The Shunammite woman never asked for a son. She simply gave what she had—hospitality, resources, and a room for God's prophet. Yet God saw her generous heart and blessed her beyond her dreams. There's a divine principle at work: we cannot out-give God. When we give with pure motives, not manipulating God for returns, He delights in surprising us with blessings we never requested. Your generosity positions you for God's favor. It might be your time, talents, or treasures. Give without expecting, serve without scorekeeping, and love without conditions. The measure you use will be measured back to you—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. What can you give today that reflects God's generosity to you?

Song of the Day: CeCe Winans - Worthy Of It All (Official Audio)