The Paradox of Giving

Let’s read Proverbs 11:24-31.  Today we will emphasize verses 24-25:

There is one who scatters, yet increases more;
And there is one who withholds more than is right,
But it leads to poverty.  25 The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself.  26 The people will curse him who withholds grain,
But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.  27 He who earnestly seeks good finds favor,
But trouble will come to him who seeks evil. 28 He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous will flourish like foliage.  29 He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind,
And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.  30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who wins souls is wise.   31 If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth,
How much more the ungodly and the sinner.

What great counsel we read in verses 24-25, yet, the words seem somewhat counter-intuitive (my new favorite phrase by the way).  One who scatters increases more and one who withholds more than is right leads to poverty.  What a paradox.  You would think that the one who scatters would have less and the one who keeps more for himself would have…well…more.  You would think that the one who waters would be dry.  But verse 25 gives us a clue that there is “someone” else involved in this picture.  I think it is God.  God is the one who is involved in the paradox of giving.  When we give, when we “scatter” to others and when we “water” others, God takes care of us.

God has unlimited resources and He longs to share them with His people.  God is involved in supplying the one who scatters with more…for the purpose of continuing the scattering.  God gives resources (not always financial) to His people to scatter them to others, all to point people to God.  So, the next time you are led by God to “scatter and water”, remember that God will supply your need.  God will actually give you an “increase”…not for your own benefit, but so He can continue to bless others through you…but don’t worry…you will still have enough!

In wisdom,
Eric