Give until it hurts or give wisely?

TODAY’S PROVERB: One gives freely, yet gains even more. Another withholds unjustly, and comes to poverty. Proverbs 11:24

Generosity, especially when applied with wisdom, is one of the miracles of our Heavenly Father’s economy. No matter what He calls us to give, we come away with more than we began with.

Does this apply only to money? Nope. It applies to our possessions, time, kind acts, even kind words.

Stinginess is like a cancer — it will eat away at what we have. The more we hoard, the sicker we become, until eventually we become unrecognizable as a follower of Jesus.

There are those who have no trouble with generosity, in fact they give too much. Too much? Yes. They give out of emotion or guilt.

When we give out of obedience — which is cocooned in wisdom — beauty and abundance will break forth. And there’s something amazing about that.

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

When we treat our possessions as they should be treated — that they belong to our Creator and we are the stewards — it might be easier to obey when He directs us to be generous.  That generosity will reap a harvest.

Sometimes the harvest is the amazing moments when those we bless see the Hand of God in their life. To realize how much they are loved.

Sometimes the harvest is sharing in God’s work — a work that will span eternity. All with one act of generosity. Imagine a lifetime of giving.

“In all things I have shown you an object lesson—that by hard work one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Yeshua, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”” Acts 20:35

Sometimes the harvest happens when we are in need and God miraculously provides.

Whatever the harvest, we can be assured God is there. And that’s a good thing.

May we live a generous life, my friends.

Proverbs 11:24, Tree of Life Bible Society, Tree of Life Version – TLV,  #tlvbible, #tlvproverbs