19th Sunday after Pentecost
Commitment Sunday
Text: Luke 6:37-38
Pastor Jean M. Hansen
What’s this? A donut, you say. That’s a good guess on Donut Sunday, otherwise known as Commitment, Sunday. But what if I tied a rope to it, what might it represent as we conclude our nautically themed stewardship emphasis? How about a life saver that could be thrown to a drowning person? (Thanks to Jeanne Gardner for that idea.) Since we’re on the Steward-SHIP, also known as the Waves of Gratitude, and are stronger together, having a life saver on board is a good idea.
I’m sure that giving the life saver a name would not be difficult for most of us, but before we go there, let’s focus on today’s Gospel reading. It’s short, just a few verses from the section in Luke where Jesus addresses those who still listening after he preached about blessings and woes during the Sermon on the Plain. He said things like, “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you and defame you, on account of the Son of Man,” and “Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry.”
No doubt some in the crowd drifted away, which may be why Jesus began the next section with, “But I say to you that, listen,” and then went on with, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” And, so, he continued in that vein until we reach today’s verses, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
In Luke 6, Jesus described what life as a disciple should look like. The message is that those who follow Jesus are to live as God lives, mercifully and generously beyond expectation, beyond comprehension. And please note: how the recipient of that mercy responds does not impact how Jesus’ followers live. In other words, bad behavior does not lead disciples to respond in kind.
Listen to this quote from commentator Mary Hinkle Shore about resisting the “tit-for-tat” way of living in the world. “When we live the ethic of this sermon in the face of the world’s violence, we are collectively saying to those who hate, abuse, strike, judge and condemn, “You are not the boss of me.” (1)
Jesus is “the boss of me”, and when sailing on the Waves of Gratitude gets rocky, he is our life saver. Obviously, what Jesus asks of us is difficult to do, but there also are positives because not judging, not condemning, as well as forgiving and giving will be rewarded. In the simple sense, if we are not judging, we are less likely to be judged by others and those who are kind and generous often find that others are more sensitive to their needs.
As the old saying goes, what goes around comes around. And, when giving is involved, as one commentator noted, “you cannot out-give God.” God will return to you more than you gave.
This concept often is misrepresented. It is not that God will give you $15 if you donate $10, or that you’ll acquire other material resources, or even more time and more talents. It’s not that “givers” are suddenly wealthier, or live longer, or are able to play the piano better than was previously true, but that peace, insight, hope and one’s ability to positively impact lives and the world increases. The wealth we gain through giving is not a fatter bank account. Instead, we grow rich in God. We grow rich in God when we give not to get something, but out of gratitude for what God has given us.
In her blog “Your Money Counts”, Hilary Law writes this: “There are some people around me who are generous. I stayed with friends from Church recently and they were so hospitable, generous and kind they made me feel loved but humbled too. I was so blessed….
“Another friend continues to provoke me in her attitude to giving and her generosity. She loves to give. I have seen her offer people she met on a train a place to stay, give away cars, furniture and many other things in a quiet and understated way. When I asked her about it one day this is what she told me and how her mum inspired her.
“‘My mum was the most generous person I’ve ever known. Born in 1920 she only ever really knew austerity yet she had the biggest heart. Whatever she had she would give: time, acceptance, kindness and if she could save any money she would willingly and sacrificially give that too! She always told me “You can NEVER out give God!’”
Hilary then added, “God is my example. God is the giver of every good and perfect gift. (James 1:7) God’s heart is the most generous and extravagant there has ever been and ever will be. God gave us Jesus.” (2) He is our life saver.
The principle of giving and receiving is described in Luke 6:38 using an ordinary activity – baking. I remember my Mom teaching me how to bake, probably it was either Grandma’s oatmeal raisin cookies or her best-ever brownies, all made from scratch. When the measuring cup was dipped into the bin of flour, it looked like a full cup. But, to make sure, you had to tamp down the flour, that is, tap the cup on the counter to get rid of air pockets. Then, add more to make sure it’s a full cup. Pack in as much as you can. That’s a good measure, pressed down, shaken together.
But when it comes to giving, do not stop there, dip that cup into the flour one more time and let it overflow, “running over, it will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” Jesus said that when you give in that way, you will receive in that way too.
That’s a good principle to keep in mind on Commitment Sunday. As we consider our financial support of Faith Lutheran Church today, is the cup full? Might it be fuller by adding a bit more for 2026 than was true in 2025? The same idea applies to giving of our time and talents, and of nurturing our relationships and caring for creation, all so that God is glorified, the ministry of Jesus is extended, and people are benefited.
Can we dip the cup in until it overflows, always remembering that we cannot out-give God? The stewardship theme verse from Romans 12 sums up what our attitude and actions should be, “Do no lag in zeal, be ardent in Spirit, serve the Lord!” Our journey on this Steward-SHIP is not just for three weeks; it’s 52 weeks. We are constantly riding the Waves of Gratitude, stronger together, showered with God’s grace, with Jesus our life saver in sight as a reminder that we can never out give God. AMEN
(1) “Commentary on Luke 6:27-38” by Mary Hinkle Shore, www.workingpreacher.org
(2) “Your Money Counts” by Hilary Law, May 16, 2018, www.yourmoneycounts.org.uk
He said things like, “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you and defame you, on account of the Son of Man,” and “Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry.”
No doubt some in the crowd drifted away, which may be why Jesus began the next section with, “But I say to you that, listen,” and then went on with, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” And, so, he continued in that vein until we reach today’s verses, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
Listen to this quote from commentator Mary Hinkle Shore about resisting the “tit-for-tat” way of living in the world. “When we live the ethic of this sermon in the face of the world’s violence, we are collectively saying to those who hate, abuse, strike, judge and condemn, “You are not the boss of me.” (1) Jesus is “the boss of me”, and when sailing on the Waves of Gratitude gets rocky, he is our life saver. Obviously, what Jesus asks of us is difficult to do, but there also are positives
In her blog “Your Money Counts”, Hilary Law writes this: “There are some people around me who are generous. I stayed with friends from Church recently and they were so hospitable, generous and kind they made me feel loved but humbled too. I was so blessed….
“Another friend continues to provoke me in her attitude to giving and her generosity. She loves to give. I have seen her offer people she met on a train a place to stay, give away cars, furniture and many other things in a quiet and understated way. When I asked her about it one day this is what she told me and how her mum inspired her.
“‘My mum was the most generous person I’ve ever known. Born in 1920 she only ever really knew austerity yet she had the biggest heart. Whatever she had she would give: time, acceptance, kindness and if she could save any money she would willingly and sacrificially give that too! She always told me “You can NEVER out give God!’”
Hilary then added, “God is my example. God is the giver of every good and perfect gift. (James 1:7) God’s heart is the most generous and extravagant there has ever been and ever will be. God gave us Jesus.” (2) He is our life saver. The principle of giving and receiving is described in Luke 6:38 using an ordinary activity –
That’s a good measure, pressed down, shaken together.
But when it comes to giving, do not stop there, dip that cup into the flour one more time and let it overflow, “running over, it will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” Jesus said that when you give in that way, you will receive in that way too.
That’s a good principle to keep in mind on Commitment Sunday. As we consider our