Proverbs Devotion - Day 11

As we pick up in Proverbs 11 today, I was struck by the concept of blessings. Scripture is clear that there are numerous divine blessings where God directly provides a blessing to someone. These blessings are numerous and truly cannot be counted because we do not even realize all of the blessings we have received in life. Yet, there are not just blessings which come from the Lord. There are also blessings which come from one another. The text today shows a clear teaching of good things coming to those who use their divine blessings in order to bless others (11:24-26).

The economy of God works quite differently from the economy of the world. In the world’s economy, a person is wise with their money and their talents when they are completely invested in themselves. This is how you become wealthy and successful and happy in life. Yet, the Scripture says that the one who “gives freely…grows all the richer.” The paradox is clear as it is the one who gives to the needy and to the work of God’s Kingdom with their blessings from the Lord who will receive even more blessings. This is often used by Prosperity preachers to say that if you give money away then God will bless you with even more money. That is not the point of the proverb. The proverb is describing generosity with what God has already blessed will lead to greater blessing as a result but not necessarily financial blessing.

There is no formula that is given in this proverb for how much must be given or how much should be saved. That is not the point. The point is that God’s people are called to generosity with the blessings they have received from Him. It does not mean it is sinful to have a savings account or to prepare financially for the future (13:11; 21:20; 30:24-25). There is a difference, however, between a person who is generous and wise with blessings and a person who hoards their blessings for themselves. Scripture clearly commends those who give generously from abundance and condemns those who withhold when there are true needs to be met (Luke 12:13-21).

The blessings of God are numerous and not strictly tied to finances, though that is most often what our minds jump to when reading these types of verses. Yet, there is great blessing is providing a meal for someone and being afforded the opportunity to share the gospel with them. There is great blessing in being generous to others and developing lasting friendships and relationships with them as a result. There is great blessing in giving to the ministry and seeing it result in the gospel being proclaimed, people being saved, baptisms taking place, discipleship being exercised, and God being glorified through it all. If we want to maximize the blessings of God in our lives then we must be generous with what He ahs already given to us. So, ask yourself today, “Am I being generous with my blessings? Or am I hoarding my blessings?” Take a step of faith today and generously meet a need for someone who cannot meet it themselves.