“The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them” (28:22). Stinginess comes from fear. No matter how much stingy people have, they never get to the point where they feel that they have enough to begin to be generous. That’s because the obstacle was never a lack of resources. The obstacle to generosity for a stingy person, is the fear itself. Such a person is always afraid that he will not be able to replenish what was given away. Fear often creates the reality that it is afraid of because it undermines a person’s capacities to succeed. You can afford to be generous no matter how impoverished you may feel. In fact, you cannot afford not to be generous. Generosity creates a liberated attitude towards wealth that will allow you to steward it wisely. It also liberates us to enjoy whatever abundance God blesses us with. You cannot enjoy what you always fear losing. By trusting in God’s provision, we can then enjoy what he provides. We can then also be liberally generous. Treat money as a tool for living the life that God wants you to live. Be wise with money and plan well for the future, but don’t let money become your ultimate security. Don’t work hard just for money. Work hard to be a blessing to others and use your money in this cause. A blessing that is shared is a blessing doubly enjoyed. Be a generous person.
Reflect and pray about your attitude to money.
Read Proverbs 28:15-28
