GENEROSITY

Proverbs 11:16-31 / Keywords 11:25

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

 

11:16 A kindhearted woman gains honor,

    but ruthless men gain only wealth.

17 Those who are kind benefit themselves,

    but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages,

    but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

19 Truly the righteous attain life,

    but whoever pursues evil finds death.

20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,

    but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.

21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,

    but those who are righteous will go free.

22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout

    is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,

    but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;

    another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

25 A generous person will prosper;

    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

26 People curse the one who hoards grain,

    but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

27 Whoever seeks good finds favor,

    but evil comes to one who searches for it.

28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,

    but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,

    and the fool will be servant to the wise.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,

    and the one who is wise saves lives.

31 If the righteous receive their due on earth,

    how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

1. Have you ever felt offended by another's careless words or actions and one thing led to another and a lot more damage occurred than ever imagined? You are not alone. We all make mistakes and have hurt others and have been hurt.

 

2. What if we believed that the offender was actually trying their very best, made an honest mistake, or were misunderstood? Trust is made stronger when we are generous rather than quick to condemn and point out faults. Being generous doesn't mean being a pushover, but it is being curious before accusing. It is responding with care rather than reacting. Even if people did wrong, a little generosity can leave open the possibility for restoration and reconciliation.

 

3. Jesus generously healed ten lepers, even though only one came back to thank him. Jesus fed, healed, and taught many regardless of whether they chose to follow him. Jesus invested in 12 disciples even though they would all abandon him in his most vulnerable moment. God gives generously and indiscriminately to all who seek him.

 

Prayer Lord, help me to be generous in my relationship with others. Help me not to be quick to judge or condemn.

One Word Be generous