Proverbs Chapter 11

Proverbs 11:24 (NKJV)
"There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty."

The principle given to us in this verse is an age old piece of wisdom that is found all throughout the Scriptures. It is a principle that applies to every area of giving whether it be storehouse giving (tithing), giving to people in need, or giving to groups or organizations that help those in need. It is a principle in paradox. It is contrary to worldly wisdom for life and business. The world says to store up what is yours whereas the Bible says to give it away. The world says to look out for "Number 1" but the Bible says to look to the welfare of others. This is not to say that everyone who gives or scatters will become wealthy. Nor will everyone who holds back become poor. The point of this verse and other teachings about giving is that we should be givers.

Solomon repeats this teaching in various ways in his writings. In Ecclesiastes 11:1 he says to cast your bread upon the waters and it will come back to you.

In Luke 6:38 Jesus said "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom……"

Paul put it this way in 2 Cor 9:6... "He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully."

As we ponder this principle of giving and receiving we should consider these four simple truths. First, we should never, ever give just to get. We give simply to be giving. Second, the principle of giving does not apply only to giving out of our abundance. Remember that Jesus commended the poor widow in Mark 12:44. When she gave her small offering it was deemed greater than all the others because it was everything she had. Third, let us consider that in the principle of giving and receiving, we are not promised to reap the exact same thing we sow. Giving of money will not necessarily result in reaping more money. We give and trust God for the resulting harvest. Lastly we need to consider that our giving need not only be from our possessions and financial resources. Sometimes the greatest gift we can give is to give of ourselves. We may not have much money. We may not be rich in personal possessions. But we all have ourselves.

I urge you to take a fresh look at your giving. What do you give? How do you give it? Give cheerfully. Give sacrificially. Give of your resources. Give of yourself. Be a giver and let God bless you with a great return.