Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.
Proverbs 28:27 (NIV)
Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.
Proverbs 28:27 (MSG)
Be generous to the poor—you’ll never go hungry; shut your eyes to their needs, and run a gauntlet of curses.
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“He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes [from their need] will have many curses.” -AMPLIFIED
“The most obvious lesson in Christ’s teaching is that there is no happiness in having or getting anything, but only in giving.” ~Henry Drummond
Once again we find Solomon advising us that we need to be generous with others; especially the poor. He tells us:
“Whoever gives to the poor will have what he needs, but the one who shuts his eyes to their plight will face curse after curse.” -(VOICE)
We are told that the person who gives can expect that all their needs will be met. In fact, the giver will be blessed. The person who is stingy, though, the one who holds on to everything that they have, the hoarder, the tightwad, and/or the money-grubber, can expect nothing but poverty and curses.
“If you give to the poor, your needs will be supplied! But a curse upon those who close their eyes to poverty.” -(TLB)
“A lack of generosity refuses to acknowledge that your assets are not really yours, but God’s.” ~Tim Keller
Solomon has advised us over and over again of the need to be generous with the things that God has given us. When we use those blessing to bless others God will bless us again. It is a cycle of blessing given to us by God.
“Whoever cares for the poor makes a loan to the Eternal; such kindness will be repaid in full and with interest.” -Proverbs 19:17 (VOICE)
Consider also what Jesus taught His followers:
“Listen carefully to what I am saying—and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.” -Mark 4:24-25 (MSG)
Paul wrote to the Corinthian church of the necessity of being generous, because God had been generous to them. Paul penned these words:
“Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, ‘He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out.’ This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God. Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they’ll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it enough!” -2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (MSG)
Over in the book of Ecclesiastes we find Solomon giving us these words of encouragement:
“Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. Don’t hoard your goods; spread them around. Be a blessing to others. This could be your last night.” -Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 (MSG)
Be a blessing to others. Live generously. Help others. Show kindness. Share what you have with others. This is the way to be blessed.
“Don’t hold back—give freely, and you’ll have plenty poured back into your lap—a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, brimming over. You’ll receive in the same measure you give.” -Luke 6:38 (VOICE)
Everything that we have belongs to God. We are just servants here to do His will. We have been called to be generous with what He has blessed us with. We have been directed to help those who are in need.
“Look around you: Everything you see is God’s—the heavens above and beyond, the Earth, and everything on it. But it was your ancestors who God fell in love with; he picked their children—that’s you!—out of all the other peoples. That’s where we are right now. So cut away the thick calluses from your heart and stop being so willfully hardheaded. God, your God, is the God of all gods, he’s the Master of all masters, a God immense and powerful and awesome. He doesn’t play favorites, takes no bribes, makes sure orphans and widows are treated fairly, takes loving care of foreigners by seeing that they get food and clothing.” -Deuteronomy 10:14-18 (MSG)
“In all of my years of service to my Lord, I have discovered a truth that has never failed and has never been compromised. That truth is that it is beyond the realm of possibilities that one has the ability to out give God. Even if I give the whole of my worth to Him, He will find a way to give back to me much more than I gave.” ~Charles Spurgeon
My friend, stop worrying about tomorrow and how you will feed the family, pay the bills and put gas in the car. Jesus told us that today’s troubles are enough to handle; tomorrow will take care of itself. Our job is to be generous and helpful today. Our assignment is to be a blessing to those who we encounter today. Our mission is to spread love and kindness to those who cross our pathway. Are you about your Father’s business?
“So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.” ~Jesus (Matthew 6:34 TLB)
My Prayer:
Lord, teach me to be more generous with the blessings that you have given me. I do not want to be tightfisted and stingy. I want to be charitable and a blessing to others. Please, place within me your heart of love for others. Help me to see the needs and be unselfish, even lavish in giving to others. Remind me, always, that you know exactly what I need. I do not need to worry about tomorrow. You already are taking care of tomorrow’s needs for me. Thank you, Papa.
Growing with God 