Bible Reading: Exodus 35; Proverbs 11; John 14; Ephesians 4
Proverbs 11:24-25 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
How do you handle your money? The Bible has a lot to say about money and Jesus tells us that money is a test of discipleship.
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
The proverb tells us that there is a liberal soul that scatters his money. This does not mean that he just walks down the road littering the trail with dollar bills. It means that he does not greedily hoard up what he has, but lets it flow loosely through his fingers. Even though he gives and invests in the kingdom of God, he increases. The greedy will never understand this. He is constantly looking to get more and hold tightly to what he has. However, the one who scatters experiences increase.
There is the stingy person contrasted here. He withholds more than is meet. In other words, he doesn't give what is due to those who deserve it. He cheats and shorts others. The Bible tells us that it tends to poverty. What kind of a person are you? Are you a person of blessing? The 'liberal soul' literally means a person of blessing. The Bible tells us that the person of blessing shall be made fat. In our day being 'fat' is not a good thing, but it means that you will have plenty. Do you scatter seed and sow into the kingdom of God? Do you water others when they are in need? Then you will be watered also. God will tend to this. You can trust him.
2 Corinthians 9:6-10 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
God is the giver of the increase. You cannot out-give the Lord! If you hold it tightly, you will lose it. But if you scatter and water, you will see an increase. You can say you trust God, but how you handle money will tell the real tale!
In Christ,
Rody
