Generous in Spirit and Deed

Daily Reading: Proverbs 11

Scripture Focus: One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.  Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. (Proverbs 11.24-25)

Devotional Thought:  The wisdom that we find in Proverbs 11 stands out in stark contrast to what the world would tell us is wise.  As a society that puts so much emphasis on wealth, material possessions, and financial “security”, the idea that we will grow richer by giving freely to others is a foreign concept.  After the federal and state governments have taken their share of our paychecks, maybe the natural human response is to feel like we have done enough.  Once we get our hands on whatever is left, we feel entitled to every single penny.  We feel compelled to either spend it quickly (before the feds think of another creative way to get the rest), or to squirrel it away in fear of the future.

But, is this the attitude we should have as followers of Jesus?

Consider the ultimate example of giving in Jesus Christ.  If there was ever a person entitled to a blessing or a secure future, it was the righteous Son of God.  But Jesus, “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped… emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant… and humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2.6-8).  He who gave of himself so freely was glorified through his death and resurrection, and the blessing that resulted was the single biggest game-changer in the history of mankind.  It brings to mind the words from Psalm 112.9 – “He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.”  May the same be said of us as we strive to become more and more like Jesus!

Jenny

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you laid aside all the comfort and privilege of your heavenly home to dwell with us in our world of darkness and misery.  You gave all you had for our good.  Help me to be like you, generous in spirit and in deed.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 7.6-13

6 Arise, O LORD, in your anger; lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies; awake for me; you have appointed a judgment.

7 Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered about you; over it return on high.

8 The LORD judges the peoples; judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me.

9 Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous-- you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God!

10 My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.

11 God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day.

12 If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow;

13 he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts.