Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
and one who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:25
Refreshing Generosity – Proverbs 11:25
You may not know this about me, but I love Coke from a glass bottle! For years, my husband and I have been buying a six-pack of Christmas Coca-Cola. Instead of milk, our kids sat out chocolate chip cookies and a glass bottle of Coke for Santa!
There is something so refreshing about a cold drink, especially when it is given to you by someone else. Imagine the scenario: you are hot and tired and someone brings you your favorite beverage in a chilled bottle or over a glass of ice. It feels so nice to be cared for in this way. It brings back a level of energy and rejuvenates both body and soul.
Reflexive Generosity
However, this refreshing characteristic is actually reflexive. The Bible tells about this principle in several places.
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
and one who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:25
When we are generous and bless others, we will be blessed in return.
One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Proverbs 11:24
Hoarders never feel they have enough to make ends meet, but God blesses the generous. When we give freely, we receive freely too.
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38
Give and it will be given to you
I have incredibly generous parents and parents-in-law. Both couples have spent their lives giving of their time and money and hospitality to those around them. In return, God blesses them and they do not lack all that they need.
In fact, I believe that God knows He can trust them to give when He directs them to, so He entrusts more money to them. They are diligent stewards of their finances, but not miserly. They are blessed in order that they might be a blessing.
Lenten Generosity
Alms-giving, giving to the poor/needy, generosity – these are all cornerstones of the Lenten season, just as fasting is. We should be looking for opportunities to give to others this season. Some people choose a specific cause or need and raise money during Lent to give to that particular thing.
An attitude of the heart
However, this generosity starts in our hearts. When you think about giving, do you automatically think that you don’t have enough to give or anything to give. Do you come up with excuses why now is not a good time?
God has the best reasons not to give to us. We repeatedly betray Him, forget about Him, choose the opposite of what He instructs, and neglect meeting with Him or reading His Word. However, He give generously to us.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
God so loved…He gave! God’s love is expressed through His generosity. We can show our love through our giving too, whether what we give is time or hospitality or money.
Action Step:
What can you give this Lent? What cause or need do you want to support? Is there someone God has put on your heart and you feel led to give to them? If something doesn’t come to mind, pray right now and ask God to reveal it to you. Act on it today! We can’t possibly out-give God. When we follow His lead and bless others, He blesses us too!
Prayer:
Dear God, Open the eyes of our hearts to see where we have been stingy with the blessings you have entrusted to us. Show us where we can be more generous to those in need around us. Give us the courage to believe what You have said and bless others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Thank you Amanda