Measuring by the "mudu"

Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

Ecclesiastes 11:1

I was on the Takai-to-Kano commute a few days back in a ten-seater bus with 11 people, and as we went along, the conductor kept shouting, "Kano, Kano, Kano, Kano…" for whomever might want to join us. A group of three waved the bus down, and as they entered the conductor warned them "manaji ne" indicating that they would "manage" by sitting on the little projection at the back of the front seat that I believe the manufacturers intended for hand luggage. This sort of thing is not uncommon, particularly here in Kano state and, indeed, throughout the country. It reminded me of a trip I took a while back in Borno state where I was seated in a rickety old station wagon with seventeen, yes one-seven, other people. We were crammed in there like a can of sardines and no-one seemed to mind.

I sometimes wonder if Jesus would have used our crammed transportation as fodder for one of his parables if he had lived in our situation. Perhaps it would have helped in Luke 6 where he said, "Give, and it will be given to you." But the picture he uses reminds me of a Yoruba woman, a half-wrapper around the waist and headdress askew, measuring out rice in the market: "A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap." What a way to describe the return on your investment in the kingdom.

A good measure. First of all, God is fair. He has always been and will always be. You can be sure He will always repay more than you've given. His mudu is larger than yours. God pays.

Pressed down, shaken together. What happens when you shake grains of rice together? They align themselves such that there's no space for space; no allowance for emptiness. Imagine that - a life chock-full of blessings so that there's no space for nothingness. I think that's a pretty good deal.

Running over. God gives enough for you to share with those around. His blessings are best enjoyed in the company of others.

But the underlying principle is this: "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you." And therein lies the principle of investment. What you get in return is always dependent on what you put in. That's why Jesus starts his promise with the simple condition, "Give." I doubt you'll find a better deal anywhere else where the risk is zero, the capital is abundant and the reward is guaranteed. The promise is for thirty-, sixty- and a hundredfold. It's a steal, so why not go ahead and give - your time, your money, your self.

With love, Doosuur.