“One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
and one who waters will himself be watered…
“The righteous will flourish like a green leaf…
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life…
“A good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways…
Blessed is he who is generous to the poor…
“The cheerful of heart has a continual feast.”
“Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,
for he shares his bread with the poor.” Proverbs 11:24-25,28,30a; 14:14b, 21b; 15:15b; 22:9
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38
“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others.” 2 Corinthians 9:11-13
There is great return in letting go when God is in the mix and motive. Sticky fingers indicate stingy hearts, but hands opened wide to give are those empty to receive. What the world deems fiscally prudent is inside out in the eyes of the all-bountiful Lord. God’s economy is mysterious and supernatural, and worth the investment to know and utilize.
How can it be true that the freer the generosity, the richer the return? Because as the Lord works, the bounty He pours out flows from the Spirit-inspired bounty given and reaches supernaturally beyond what we can see or measure. Bless others, welcome with grace and hospitality, spread cheer, and the watering and growing and flourishing with joy from God comes back in abounding ways. When others notice, the Lord receives multiplied thanksgiving and praise.
We’ll never know what we’ve missed when we hold too tightly to what’s been entrusted to us. If we hoard income and goods and time, we will not experience the deep sense of God’s taking care of us by supplying for every need, tangible and intangible. When we decide to give part away to meet others’ needs or for kingdom purposes or simply for Jesus’s sake, we learn firsthand the exquisite blessing of joy the free heart affords. (Ecclesiastes 11:1; Philippians 4:19)
What needs have we observed around us but done nothing about? How might we be part of the answer to specific prayers of the lonely, lacking, or suffering? What are we gripping so tightly the promptings of the Lord cannot loosen free? Where might He be asking us to let go control of time, schedule, resources, so His glory can abound through marvelous, supernatural display? How can we contribute to the thanksgiving and praise of the One who has given us all things? (Romans 8:31-32)
Lord, teach me to let go of all You identify for the better return of all You want to give.
As the rain and snow 