April 18, 2010 Pastor Scott Snowden
 WISDOM
Proverbs- Profound Truth in Simple Terms
#6. The Wisdom of Generosity…
One man gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
A generous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:24, 25
At first glance, this principle seems contradictory. How can being generous (willing to give my money and things away to those who need them) lead to prosperity? Wouldn’t I have less, and end up poor myself? If I leave God and His grace out of the equation, then yes, generosity is self-defeating. But when acting in faith and in obedience to God’s Word, I become His _PARTNER_ in blessing the community I live in. God promises that He will supply me with everything I need to continue to be available and useful to Him. This principle of generosity goes way beyond tithing and giving to the church; it is intended to be a mindset that influences everything I do.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you,
so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,
you will abound in every good work.
You will be made rich in every way
so that you can be generous on every occasion…
2 nd Corinthians 9:8, 11
- God is extremely _GENEROUS_.
- God has given me everything I need to _SUSTAIN_ my physical body.
Then God said,
“I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth
and every tree that has fruit with seed in it.
They will be yours for food.”
Genesis 1:29
“Everything that lives and moves will be food for you.
Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.”
Genesis 9:3
- God has given me everything I need to _SATISFY_ my pleasures and pursuits in holy and honorable ways.
When you have eaten and are satisfied,
praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you.
But remember the Lord your God,
for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth…
Deuteronomy 8:10, 18
I know that there is nothing better for men
than to be happy and do good while they live.
That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-
this is the gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 3:12, 13
- God has given me everything I need to _SAVE_ my soul.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-
and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-
not by works, so no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8, 9
- I am created in the image and likeness of _GOD_.
So God created man in His own image,
in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:27
- When I am stingy, I fail to conform to His image and likeness. This can only result in _FRUSTRATION_.
He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker;
whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 17:5
He who gives to the poor will lack nothing,
but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.
Proverbs 28:27
Miserly motives to identify and overcome…
- Fear/insecurity
- Self-righteousness
- Selfishness
- Indifference
- When I am generous, I am like God. This results in further _BLESSING_!
He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,
and He will reward him for what he has done.
Proverbs 19:17
A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
Proverbs 22:9
- My generosity is expressed through…
- A _SELFLESS_ attitude that loves people and honors God.
He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
Proverbs 14:31
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love,
just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us
as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1, 2
- _REGULAR_ or _INTENTIONAL_ benevolence.
When you reap the harvest of your land,
do not reap to the very edges of your field
or gather the gleanings of your harvest.
Do not go over your vineyards a second time
or pick up the grapes that have fallen.
Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19:9, 10
- _SPONTANEOUS_ acts of compassion and assistance.
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,
when it is in your power to act.
Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back later, I’ll give it tomorrow”-
when you now have it with you.
Proverbs 3:27, 28 |
