A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Summary: Giving generously is a reflection of our Father in heaven. He gives generously to us every day. He stands ready to refresh us every day as well. If we follow in his footsteps, we will do the same for others.
What does it mean to be a “generous person?” The story that comes to mind is the story of a short little man who was wealthy because of his position as chief tax collector for the Romans. His name was Zacchaeus. In the story (Luke 19: 1-10) Jesus singles Zacchaeus out for a personal visit. Zacchaeus is overjoyed by this turn of events and promises to give half of his possessions to the poor. He is transformed from someone who thinks about himself first to a man of great generosity.
Having been given our freedom, we are often overjoyed, but how many of us responded as Zacchaeus did? When Jesus called to him and told him that he wanted to spend time with him, Zacchaeus responds this way:
“But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.’” (Luke 19: 8)
What a response to Jesus! His generosity was from the heart. Recognizing this, Jesus declares, “Today salvation has come to this house…” (Luke 19: 9) What an amazing declaration. What a wonderful gift.
The story is a wonderful illustration of Jesus’ mission here on earth. At the end of the story, Jesus tells us why he came. He says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Well, I’ve been lost and now I am found! When Jesus finds us, we discover the most generous person we will ever know. He gave his life on the cross so that you and I could be redeemed from the horrific debt incurred by our sins.
And what does the opposite of the generous person look like?
The story that comes to mind illustrating the anti-generous person is the story of Nabal (1 Samuel 25). It is the story of a man who was very wealthy and very arrogant. David and his men were living in the wilderness to avoid Saul, while God made the necessary arrangements for David to become king. While they were in the area, they used their time to protect the flocks and shepherds of the man Nabal, hoping that their efforts would be rewarded when the sheep were sheared and the wool gathered in.
When David’s emissaries visited Nabal with David’s request for some compensation, Nabal was indignant. His money is his, his wealth is his. Why should he share it with anyone, let alone some renegade like David?
There are two edges to the swords that David and his men wielded. One edge protected Nabal’s sheep. The other edge threatened death to Nabal and all who were with him. Nabal’s tightfistedness almost brought disaster to his household. At this point, Abigail, Nabal’s wife, steps into the picture and saves the day. She rides out to meet David with an offering of goods from the abundance God has given her family. David’s wrath is turned away. The rest of the story is quite interesting if you would like to read it. In the end, Nabal’s stinginess costs him his life and Abigail’s generosity wins her a new one.
Application: Practice generosity and see if Solomon’s words hold true.
Food for Thought: What are some ways we can “refresh” others?
What are some ways we can “refresh” others?
A word spoken in truth and kindness, a deed done in humility, sharing God’s grace and message with fellow believers and the lost that Christ is seeking. I believe we “refresh” each other here on this blog when we share our walk with the Lord. I also believe we refresh others when they can see that we have eternal hope and can share what God wants in their lives.
Proverbs 31:8 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”
1 Peter 4:10-11 “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
Luke 3:10-11 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
Isaiah 58:10 “and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.”
Chris,
Your words are ‘refreshing.’ Thank you!
I especially like the Isaiah 58:10 passage.
I do too. The words “spend yourself” resonates with me. I’ve always been the sort of person that asks very specific questions and get frustrated when people seem to gloss over the specific piece I am asking (lol). God always chooses His Word(s) specifically, so I can appreciate that. Spend yourself, not your time or resources, or others time and resources, but spend of yourself.
Top off a drink?
Numbers 20 comes to mind.
We should try to be like Jesus following His scriptures. How many times did God provide something refreshing to his people throughout the bible to present time. How many times has God given today in your life. I know that God sustains me and my hope is in Him all the day long.
Amen, brother Tim!
Great passage!
God is generous in his refreshment!
LOL! 🙂
The Hebrew word is interesting. According to Strong’s, it refers to being watered – as in pouring water out on a thirsty plant or drawing a glass off water for someone parched. At least I find that interesting.
When we minister to other’s needs it is like giving water to the thirsty soul. I believe there are many ways to do this. Jesus’ words in Matthew 25: 34 – 40 comes to mind.
Thanks Rich!
That is a GREAT point! As an aside, what we desire for refreshment depends on our situation. When we are thirsty, water is refreshing. When we are picky, we want something else.
06-23-2022, Proverbs 11:25, What are some ways we can “refresh” others?
We under our power cannot provide the needed refreshing to others. Jesus has left all believers on earth so He can refresh others through us.
John 7:37, John 4:13-14, Matthew 5:6, Romans 12:20
My wife and I were traveling through California one year after a great fire had destroyed hundreds of homes in the state. Many people who had lost their homes were living in trailers at the RV park we had spent the night in.
I was eating breakfast and watching an older man as he tried to tie a tarp around his fully loaded pickup truck. He could only work a few minutes at a time and would have to stop to rest, and was simply not getting it done.
As I watched, the Lord said “Get up and help that man!” so I did.
I went to him, he told me he did not need any help, but as he took a break I took the rope from him and began to untie the entire load because it was very poorly secured. He went into a panic mode as I began undoing his work, but I simply began a conversation with him and continued to work. Shortly He was sitting down, telling me a terribly sad story of how he had lost everything and was after about a year moving into a home with a friend.
As I continued with the load, I spoke with him about Jesus and the comfort my wife and I had found in our church during times of trouble. It turned out He and I attended the same denomination church but he had stopped attending after the fire.
I finished the load and leaned on his pickup and we continued to talk. He began crying and opened more of his tragic story, how his wife and daughter had taken all the insurance money and left him.
In the end he thanked me for helping him, committed to returning to church, we hugged and he drove off with his load securely tied, and once again committed to trusting in Jesus who had provided refreshment to a man in need!
Ron,
What a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing. You have inspired me.
Proverbs 3:7-8
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.
I like the image of bones being refreshed. The general image I have of refreshed is very surface. Something minimal to give a bit of comfort. But bones aren’t surface at all. They are deep, they are invaluable, they are the source (physically) of lifegiving blood, they hold us up. Who knew the benefits of turning away from evil?
A –
Thank you! Wonderful insight. 🙂