The Open Hand

I once heard a preacher talk about giving with the symbol of an open hand. He said that the open hand is a symbol of giving, or generosity, because when you give something to somebody, you reach out your hand and let go of whatever it is that you possessed so that they can receive it.

Conversely, the closed hand is a symbol of holding onto something. The interesting thing about this illustration I heard was the connection between the open hand and receiving. You see, not only must you open your hand so that the recipient of your generosity may take what they are about to receive, but also you, when you are about to receive, must open your hand.

When your hands are closed guarding what you have and holding on to protect your possessions, they cannot at the same time be open to receive fresh goods. That is the really interested paradox at work behind the spiritual truth that Jesus revealed when He said, “Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, crushed down, full and running over, they will give to you. For in the same measure as you give, it will be given to you again.”

The principle is that you cannot receive without also giving. You can, but you will be corrupted. It is similar to a pond with a stream in but no outlet. The pond becomes stagnant and nothing can live in that pond. In order for a healthy ecosystem to occur, there has to be both a source feeding the pond, and an outlet.

The other important thing that Jesus was revealing in this passage is that measure that you use to judge others, forgive others, express generosity, love or any other action, is the same measure that will be used to determine what you receive. You cannot give with a half heart, instead wanting to save what you are giving, then expect what you want to be generously given to you.

What areas do you need to “open your hand” in? Is there any way you feel that you need to adjust your measuring scale?