You Can't Outgive God

Luke 6:38

“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.”

Big Idea: God’s generosity always outpaces ours. When we give with faith and joy, He multiplies it beyond what we could imagine.

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The Overflow Principle

There’s something satisfying about watching a cup overflow—like pouring coffee and realizing you’ve gone just a bit too far, and it’s running over the edge. You clean it up, but there’s that moment of “Wow, that’s more than enough.”

That’s what Jesus is describing in Luke 6:38. Not a “give to get” formula, but a kingdom principle of overflow. God doesn’t just return what you give; He multiplies it, presses it down, shakes it together, and makes it overflow into your life.

When I first joined the fire department, I remember old-timers saying, “You’ll always get back more than you give on this job.” At the time, I didn’t believe it. But years later, I realized what they meant, when you give your time, your strength, your heart, you receive brotherhood, respect, purpose.

The same is true with God: you never lose when you give to Him.

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God Is a Giver by Nature

From the beginning of Scripture, we see a giving God.

• He gave life to Adam.

• He gave a covenant to Abraham.

• He gave manna to Israel.

• And He gave His Son to the world.

Giving isn’t something God does—it’s who He is.

When we give, we reflect His heart. And every time we mirror His generosity, He multiplies it back. Not always dollar-for-dollar—but in ways that strengthen, sustain, and surprise us.

2 Corinthians 9:8 – “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

When we live with a closed fist, trying to hold on to what we have, we cut off the flow of blessing. But when we live with open hands, God can fill and refill them again and again.

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Generosity Unlocks God’s Multiplication

Notice what Jesus said: “Give, and it will be given to you.”

The order matters. The blessing doesn’t precede the giving... it follows it.

Think of the boy with the five loaves and two fish. He could have said, “I can’t feed everyone with this.” But when he placed it in Jesus’ hands, the miracle happened. What was small in his hands became multiplied in God’s hands.

Years ago, I knew a couple who decided to start tithing even though their budget was tight. The first month, they didn’t know how they’d make it. But by the end of that same month, the husband got unexpected overtime, the wife received a refund they’d forgotten about, and their needs were met. They both said, “We can’t explain it—but we know it’s God.”

That’s what happens when faith meets generosity. God turns what seems small into more than enough.

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You Can’t Outgive God Because He Owns It All

Psalm 24:1 reminds us, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.”

We’re not the source—we’re the stewards.

And when you understand that, giving stops being a transaction and becomes an act of trust.

You realize that you can’t outgive God because:

• He owns the cattle on a thousand hills.

• He holds every resource.

• And He delights in blessing those who trust Him.

There’s an old saying among farmers: “You can’t outgive a rain cloud.” The more you plant, the more the rain nourishes. That’s God’s heart—He keeps pouring when He sees your seed in the ground.

Malachi 3:10 – “Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough to store it.”

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The True Reward of Generosity

The greatest reward of generosity isn’t material—it’s spiritual.

When we give, we grow closer to the heart of God. We experience His joy, His peace, His purpose.

Paul said in Philippians 4:17, “Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.”

God keeps score differently than we do. Every time you give, serve, or bless someone, you’re storing up treasure in heaven—and becoming more like Jesus here on earth.

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Closing Challenge – Test the Overflow

God’s promise is simple: You can’t outgive Me.

So this week, I want to challenge you to live generously on purpose.

• Bless someone without expecting anything back.

• Give a little more in faith.

• Watch what God does.

Because when you live with open hands, you’ll experience a God who overflows every part of your life.