There is a principle in Scripture that encourages us to give, expecting to receive. Remember when Jesus told us to, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust can corrupt or thieves break in and steal; for, where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.†(Matt. 6:20) He also instructed us to “give, and it shall be given unto you; …pressed down, and shaken together (liberally)…shall men give into your bosom (keeping).†(Luke 6:38)
         Then, there is the sowing and reaping principle that says, whatever a person sows, he will also reap for himself; and if he sows bountifully, he will also reap bountifully; or if he sows sparingly, he will also reap sparingly. (Gal. 6:7 & 2 Cor. 9:6) And, remember the parable of the talents? All those gifts He has given us to invest in His kingdom will yield 100% in Heaven! (Where else can you get that rate of return?)  (Matt. 25)
         Some examples of the right kind of giving in order to receive might include:
Love – As you give it away to others in His name, it is multiplied in your own heart.
            (Sort of like the loaves and fishes?)
Forgiveness – As you freely forgive others (knowing that their offenses were also
                         paid for already by Jesus, and the final balances are in His hands)
                         you also receive forgiveness for your offenses, (“…forgive us our
                         trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against usâ€
                          (see Matt. 6:12-16)
And these two gifts are tied together in Jesus’ observation that he who is forgiven much, loves much. (Luke 7:47) So then, the liberality we use determines the liberality we receive.
         A conclusion we need to draw from this meditation is that this principle of giving in order to receive is that the giving must be to Him (in His name) and the receiving will always come from Him. This must be how our hearts can ascend to our abundant inheritance in Heaven where our treasures are kept. (1 Peter 1:4)
         And just think, we’ll never have to traipse off to the “return desk†to try to get something we like better!
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                                      Somehow, not only for Christmas
                                      But all the long year through,
                                      The joy that you give to others
                                      Is the joy that comes back to you.
                                      And the more you spend in blessing
                                       The poor and the lonely and sad,
                                       The more of your heart’s possessions
                                        Return to make you glad.
                                                                                         John Greenleaf Whittier