Proverbs 11:25, “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
This is a paradox for many, they can’t see how being generous to others will bring prosperity. It may seem a little backwards to be giving our money, time and resources to others instead of hording it for our rainy days, but life shows us that when we give from our storehouses, we will find prosperity rather than ruin.
It’s true that we must take care of our families and meet the needs required, but what many forget is that the luxuries that we think we cannot live without; those things that are enslaving us to debt are not “meeting the needs of our families.” Meeting the needs of our families does not mean we cannot have fine homes, clothes or cars, but in the process of providing those things are we neglecting the widow among our congregations? Are we neglecting the needs of the fatherless? Have we supported those less fortunate with food, warmth and friendship?
Malachi 3:7-10 is a brash warning from God about not giving, but a promise if we give liberally; “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, wherein shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
This passage is not to be taken with purpose of giving to receive; oh, God forbid, do not be fooled, the LORD knows your heart; just as he knew the hearts of those casting their money into the temple treasury in Luke 21:1-4.
Money is not all we have to give one another, there is time, resources and sometimes just friendship provided to someone who is unlovable by common standards. I love what Luke 6:38 said about giving, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” We can’t out give God; we can’t imagine the rich blessings in store for us if we give from our hearts with no intent of receiving back. God will not let it go unnoticed; He will repay you for your kindness and generosity. Remember He is watching every generosity of spirit, wealth, and resources. Just as those in Matthew 25:34-40, heard the King say, “Verily, I say unto you, inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Prayer: Father, we know you are full of compassion and grace. Your storehouses are too numerous to count and you are the owner of creation and the creator of all things. Blessed be your name this day as we learn to trust you with our resources. LORD, show us how we might serve you with the bounty you have given us. Teach us to reach out to others and meet needs that don’t require money, teach us that time and other resources are often more important than money. LORD, thank you for all we have, whether it is great or small, you will provide everything we need. We trust you with all we have. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Abiding Still,
Connie Renfro ©
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