OneYearBibleOnline Discussion

Proverbs 11:

24 One man gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

25 A generous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

26 People curse the man who hoards grain,
but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell.

This passage in Proverbs tells us that a generous person prospers.
Certainly this is a godly principle with our finances. God uses the generous person as a vessel of prosperity for themselves in service of others.
We should remember that we are conduits for God to work through. This principle is affirmed in the New Testament and is firmly linked with our salvation:

Philippians 2: 13 or it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure

While the obvious sense of the Proverbs 11 passage above is that we should wisely and liberally give as the Lord truly leads us, I believe there is yet another application. Not all of our "possessions" are material. Some have only the "widow's two pennies" to their name. Yes, we should give to others financially in our poverty or in our wealth, but what else do we have to give?

Friendship is a great thing to share! Everyone needs a friend. Everyone needs to be acknowledged as a person. The Bible always speaks of human beings in groups. We are nations, cultures, families, etc in the sight of the Lord as much as we are individuals. It seems even more important that we live in the world while we are not part of its wickedness than to go off and become a hermit in a cave.

Do you have a good word of comfort or encouragement to invest in someone this day?
Can you cause someone to be refreshed?
Do you wish to be blessed by blessing others with kindness?

This day, we are challenged to allow God to work in us according to His will, for His good pleasure for the benefit of someone that needs it.

Yes it is! What a beautiful and encouraging word for today.

Be blessed.