The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Proverbs 11:25 KJV
The liberal or generous soul shall prosper as being fat indicated you were rich. Giving to others is giving to yourself or watering yourself as well. Many blessings will come and not necessary only in money. You develop relationships with people and God is watching. He said it is better to invite people to a meal that cannot take you out to Red Lobster next time. Giving to those who cannot repay is a blessing and God is watching. We are multi-layered people and the reward may come in health, restored or new relationships or the best of rewards is the peace of God and fellowship with Him.
You must note that while sharing and giving to others is greatly encouraged and commanded of the rich throughout Scripture it is not forced. You are not blessed giving someone else's assets to someone as the parable Nathan used when confronting David about his sin. You give of your flock or money. Robin Hood is a human construct as God does not condone stealing for a good cause.
There is great blessing in giving and warnings about being stingy or withholding pay to a workman, but it still ends up in free will of the person. God is the rewarder and the discipliner of the people. Indeed, Ananias and Sapphira were not punished for the managing of their funds, but for lying about it. If they had said they sold the land for the correct price and they were giving a percentage they may have lived to a ripe old age.
Hoarding is not encouraged, but saving for old age is as we are told in Proverbs to go the ant who prepares for the winter. God addresses that proverb to the sluggard or lazy person and it gets even more detailed when we are told in the NT that he who will not work doesn't eat. Not the one who cannot work, but the one who will not and expects to be cared for by those working. Sometimes giving is enabling, not loving.
The farmer was told to leave a gleaning for the poor and not not reap every little bit so that the poor might eat. Yet, he was not to gather it and distribute it to the poor. They were to come and glean the field themselves. It was a welfare system that still required work which gave the recipient a sense of dignity, worth and gratitude.
So let us all assess our resources and be quick to provide what we can when we can out of gratitude for what God has provided and to receive the many blessings that come from giving. Remember, God said that he who gives to the poor is lending to the Lord and He never reneges or short changes His contracts or promises.
Those of us who have various skills or trades need to offer them for free when we can because what do we have that was not given to us by the Lord? Yes, we need to pay the bills and all that, but sometimes we just need to donate our time and talent to those who could never afford our services but have a need. After all, we could not afford all that Christ has given us, especially our salvation.
If we learn to want less, we can give more. We need a home, not a mansion. We need a vehicle, but not a luxury one. We need a phone, but not necessarily the latest and most expensive one. The list is endless of where we could choose what we actually need, not want because of the flash and glam of them.
I admire the ones who are part of the minimalist movement. I am not quite that austere, but I can look back and wish I had been more like that as I see stuff in my house that will end up in the trash or at resale shop when I am gone. I am slowly downsizing not that I was ever greatly extravagant. Compared to many people around the world I look like I am, but compared to many Americans, not so much.
In many things we have freely received so we should be excited to freely give. Maybe you can empty that paid storage shelter that often ends up costing more than the stuff it stores and take that payment and support a kid overseas or even here.
We can be fat in a healthy way if we become that generous soul. Our roots will be deeper, our fruit and impact greater as we water ourselves through giving. Lord, make us open to give as much as You are to give us so much. Maranatha!!!
