Let's Share

Some people give much but get back even more. Others don’t give what they should and end up poor. Whoever gives to others will get richer; those who help others will themselves be helped. People curse those who keep (hoard) all the grain, but they bless the one who is willing to sell it. Whoever looks for good will find kindness, but whoever looks for evil will find trouble. Those who trust in riches will be ruined, but a good person will be healthy like a green leaf. Proverbs 11:24-28 (NCV).

This Scripture passage should shape our attitude towards wealth and possessions. The Holy Bible is clear that generous people prosper, but those who hoard their possessions, resources, and monies will be poor (see Proverbs 28:27; 2 Corinthians 9:6-9). The irony is that the world teaches that we must put “me” or “self” first and hold on to as much as possible. However, God    teaches that we can actually prosper by being generous to those in need, especially widows and orphans (James 1:27). Stinginess, greed, and selfishness often lead to physical and spiritual poverty. God blesses those who give freely and generously of their possessions, time, and talents to others. When we give to others, God gives the generous more and more so that we can be a blessing to others. God helps those who help others (Proverbs 11:24-25).

Moreover, giving acknowledges that God owns everything (Deuteronomy 8:10–18) and that God blesses us with possessions to be used to help others. Besides, one with a generous spirit trusts in God; thereby gains God’s approval (Psalm 1). As Christians, our first desire must be to love God, love people, and seek to bring God glory (Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Matthew 22:34-40; 1 Corinthians 10:31).  Particularly, Christians must eliminate selfish desires to please ourselves and place the needs of others ahead of our own (1 Corinthians 13; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 2 Corinthians 9:6-9). Generous giving is a mark of true grace, as seen in Jesus Christ, who by His poverty made us rich (2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:3-11).

Generosity is the path to blessing and further prosperity (Psalm 112:2-9; Proverbs 3:9-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-9).  By contrast, the stingy do not make friends and hurt themselves in the long run (Proverbs 21:13).   A generous people will proper because they share their food with the poor (Proverbs 22:9). "Whoever sows generously will also reap generously" (2 Corinthians 9:6; see also Luke 6:38).  "Generous people will be blessed, because they share their food with the poor" (Proverbs 22:9).

References
 NIV Study Bible. Zondervan, 2008.
 Nelson Study Bible NKJV. Thomas Nelson Bibles, 1997.
 Life Application Study Bible. Tyndale House Publishers, 2005.
 NLT Study Bible. Tyndale House Publishers, 2008.
 Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.