Flowing from the point that we focused on yesterday about the rewards of just living, we focus today on generosity. A lot of people struggle to give generously to others because they are afraid of being left in deficit. The wisdom of the proverb corrects this misconception: “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty” (11:24). There is more risk in being stingy with your wealth than there is in being generous. I once read one of those ‘secret-to-success books’ (one of the most famous ones) and was surprised to see that the well-respected author was insisting that generosity was a key to financial success. He recommended giving away at least ten percent of income. Most Christians practice ‘tithing’ which involves sharing ten percent of one’s income with the church community. Tithing builds the community that blesses the world. In addition to tithing, we should practice generous giving to worthy causes. Sponsor a child through an aid organisation, support a Christian worker, give to charity and relief funds, and help to make the world a better place. Can you afford it? According to the proverb you can’t afford not to. Generosity engenders the right attitude towards money. Without this right attitude, money will ruin you. When you become enslaved to the need for wealth and become stingy then you will inevitably begin to make bad financial decisions. This is the irony of stinginess. You end up with less as a result.
Reflect on where you could show greater generosity with your resources.
Read Proverbs 11:22-31
