Proverbs 11:24 – 25, “One person gives freely, yet gains even more;another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.25 A generous person will prosper;whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” (NIV)
Today’s text encourages us to be givers. A person who gives to others to bless them, is a person who is ultimately “depositing money” into their own spiritual bank, in God’s eyes. God tells Abram in Genesis 12:2, “ I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” The same way God blessed Abraham to bless others, is the same way He blesses us to bless others. Nothing we own is of us, but completely given to us by God and sustained by Him. We should be more than happy to be generous with others because God was first generous with us. I don’t just mean blessing others monetarily or materially, these verses also speak to giving love, giving forgiveness, giving mercy, giving compassion, giving grace, etc. The more you give to others, the more you will receive in your time of need.
There is much blessing in looking to the interest of others above yourself (Philippians 2:3-4); we see that in verse 25 above. On the other side of the coin, the person who isn’t a giver comes to poverty (for example, you don’t give forgiveness, you won’t receive forgiveness, Matthew 6:15). God is pleased when we help or bless others. If He has put on your heart to give to someone who is in need, maybe someone needs a word of encouragement, please obey. Then one day, when you need encouragement, it will overflow into your life. Obeying God is always for our benefit in the end, even when it’s difficult in the moment.
Dear Father, You teach me in Your Word to be a blessing. Help me to be a cheerful giver because you delight in that. May I grow in Your Spirit and bear fruit of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!
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