Blessed Givers

"He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor." (Proverbs 22: 9 KJV)

"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." (Proverbs 11: 25 NIV)

There is great blessing promised in these verses to generous and giving souls. On the other hand, there is also an implied warning to those who are stingy, who are like the miserly character of Charles Dickens, the infamous Ebenezer Scrooge.

"The liberal soul shall be made fat" (KJV) is the way the KJV translates the latter proverb. A righteous person is a liberal and generous soul, always ready to give to those in need.

"He (the wicked) coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not." (Proverbs 21: 26 KJV)

"The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously." (Psalm 37: 21 NIV)

"He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse." (Proverbs 28: 27 KJV)

"Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to." (Deuteronomy 15: 10 NIV)

Thus we see the characters of individuals contrasted. Some are generous and giving, others are stingy and give only when compelled to do so, and then do it grudgingly.

Those who lack this generosity of spirit will have "many a curse," not only in this life, but in the next. On the other hand, the generous soul is promised great blessings and greater abundance of supply.

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." (Luke 6: 38)

"Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?" (Romans 11: 35)

It has been said often - "you cannot out-give God." The Father, as Jesus said, "knows how to give good gifts" to people.

"He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour." (Psalm 112: 9)

"He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again." (Proverbs 19: 17)

"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." (II Corinthians 9: 7)

God loves and increases blessings upon those who practice generosity and benevolent giving to the poor and needy, those who are called "cheerful givers." The liberal and cheerful giver is openly loved by God, for he resembles God in his character.

"But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you." (Luke 11: 41)

Thus, this matter of giving to those in need, and of contributing liberally to the advancement of spiritual good in the world, is intimately connected with salvation and sanctification.

"I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20: 34, 35 KJV)

This is the secret that all truly liberal and benevolent souls have learned! They know how superior is the blessing of the giver (benefactor) over that of the receiver of gifts!

Oh yes, it is a great blessing to receive blessing, but to give it, to actually be the "cheerful giver," rather than the "cheerful recipient," is supernal blessing! These have truly learned in heart the words of Jesus - "freely ye have received, freely give." (Matthew 10: 8 KJV)

To be the recipient of undeserved and gracious blessing ought to be the greatest teacher of benevolence and strongest impetus for giving liberally and for doing so with a willing and eager heart.

"Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee." (Proverbs 3: 27, 28)

"Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away." (Matthew 5: 42)

People find all kinds of excuses for not coming to the financial aid of friends and neighbors. Lord God is pleased when men are willing to share of their bounty with the less fortunate.

"Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." (II Corinthians 9: 10, 11 NIV)

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." (I Timothy 6: 17-19 NIV)

Some are given superior financial resources than others. To these Lord God expects more benevolence and philanthrophy. To be rich and yet have the heart of a giver is truly a "gift" from the Lord. This was taught by Paul in these words.

"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us...he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity...Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality." (Romans 12: 6, 13)

Spiritual philanthrophy! God has blessed the church with members who are wealthy. He has called them to occupy this important place, in order that they might witness to the Lord by their giving to the poor and needy in his name.

"Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." (Ephesians 4: 28)

Friend, do you have the "bountiful eye"? Are you a "generous soul" and a "cheerful giver" to the poor? Are you "hiding your eyes" to the needs of the poor and down-trodden? Or, do you have the spirit of the miser and of Scrooge? Do you withhold help from the poor when it is in your power to give it? Do you believe that the Lord does not see nor care that you are so heartless?

If you would learn the spirit of true giving, then come to the Lord, and let him teach and give to you, and then you will know how to give to others.

"Freely as you have received, freely give."