PRINCIPLES OF INCREASE
Proverbs 11:24-25 NKJV
24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more;
And there is one who withholds more than is right,
But it leads to poverty.
25 The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself.
There was a song from the seventies that was quite a hit. The refrain was “You gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em." This song was about playing poker. Our verses today are about generosity, not poker.
One who scatters is speaking to giving. The one who scatters sees increase as opposed to the one who withholds more than is right. The CSB says, "One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor." The Kingdom of God operates differently from the world or man's system. The world will tell you to hang onto what you have. And God's way says give freely. We can look at this from a financial perspective and be accurate. But we don't have to limit giving freely to money. We can give freely of love, time, encouragement, and good works of service. God's Kingdom operates on sowing seeds and reaping harvests. Without sowing, there is no reaping.
This theme of increase and generosity continues in verse twenty-five. The NLT says, "The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." So the principles of increase hinge on being a generous person. Again, we must not limit increase to the financial realm alone. There are many areas of our lives where an increase would be a blessing. In our relationships, in our careers, and in what we do in service to the Lord. We can see an increase in all of these areas. However, waiting for the increase to come can be frustrating. Involving ourselves in giving and refreshing others first is the path to increase in our own lives.
I understand the challenge here. Often, there are areas of lack in our lives, and the needs can be pressing. To step out and give, sow, refresh others seems counterintuitive. And yet, that's how God's Kingdom works. The wisdom of God, when applied, does not diminish our lives but rather blesses our lives when we do things His way.
The admonition of these verses is to begin to develop a generous spirit in all areas of our lives. Some people find giving money relatively easy, but giving time or encouragement is much more difficult. God's wisdom and principle of increase says that whatever areas we are generous in are the areas we'll see increase. And we must always keep in mind that God, the original Giver and example of generosity, loves a cheerful giver. With a generous spirit, we represent Him well!
PRAYER
Dear Father, You are the model of generosity. As I give and sow, I am reflecting You and blessing others. And You cause grace to abound toward me so that I am always supplied. Thank You!