Stop Being Stingy – Be Generous
Proverbs 28 speaks to the importance of righteousness and integrity. The wicked flee in fear, while the righteous stand bold. The chapter highlights the consequences of sin and corruption, contrasting it with the blessings that come from living according to God’s principles. It encourages honest dealings, warns against oppression, and underscores the value of wise leadership and accountability in society.
Proverbs 28:22 (NIV) warns, “The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them.” To be stingy means to be unwilling to share or spend your resources. Studies show that selfish individuals often exhibit a “me first” mentality, focusing solely on their own desires. This greed not only hinders personal growth but also obstructs the path to true greatness.
In contrast, Proverbs 28:20 (ESV) states, “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.” Similarly, Proverbs 13:11 (ESV) reminds us that “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” The love of money can lead to a myriad of troubles, as warned in 1 Timothy 6:10 (ESV): “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.”
Generosity serves as the antidote to greed, breaking the chains of materialism and enabling us to trust God for our needs. Being generous means giving freely without expecting anything in return. Proverbs 11:24 (ESV) observes, “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.”
Giving as Seed
As Winston Churchill wisely said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
In 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (TLB), we read, “But remember this—if you give little, you will get little. A farmer who plants just a few seeds will get only a small crop, but if he plants much, he will reap much. Everyone must make up his own mind as to how much he should give. Don’t force anyone to give more than he really wants to, for cheerful givers are the ones God prizes. God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more so that there will not only be enough for your own needs but plenty left over to give joyfully to others.”
Ultimately, Proverbs 11:24-25 (MSG) encapsulates the essence of generosity: “The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.” By choosing generosity, we not only enrich our lives but also expand our capacity to bless those around us.