Full-circle Generosity
Scripture Reading — Malachi 3:6-12
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:25
I have a copy of a cartoon in which a boy says to his father, “The teacher told us a proverb that says a fool and his money are soon parted. How did they get together in the first place?” Good question.
The teacher’s proverb isn’t from the Bible, but it contains some folk wisdom. It suggests that if I tend to spend my money as fast as I get it—or even before I get it—I may be in fools’ territory. It is wise to plan and save where we can.
But there is another side to managing our finances.
Proverbs 11:25 tells us that hanging on to everything for ourselves is not wise either.
In fact, investing all I have into me and my future misses out on the blessing God intends for me. Generosity brings with it a blessing that I can never get by keeping everything for myself.
Please understand: God doesn’t want us to be generous simply as a way to get more. He wants us to reflect his generosity in our own lives. God wants us to share his heart of generosity.
The truth is, at the heart of generous stewardship is a relationship with God that helps me to give to others.
If I have received wisdom, I want to refresh others with the same kind of generosity.
Dear Jesus, you gave your life so that we could have you. We sometimes lose sight of your generosity and the circle of giving that it intends. Guide us to refresh others with the same spirit. Amen.
About the author — Henry Kranenburg
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