“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. The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it. Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it. Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭24‬-‭28‬ ‭ESV‬‬

As I consider this passage in my own life, I am deeply challenged, but also profoundly encouraged and liberated by the truth it contains. It is a precept of God that the generous person will himself be blessed.

Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God’s people are consistently encouraged to be generous, especially toward the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the immigrant (Exodus 22:21-24). God invites us to trust in His provision, calling us to be a continual source of blessing to others. However, He warns us not to hoard wealth or place our trust in the riches He has provided, but rather to trust in Him—the ultimate source of all things.

When we trust in the Giver rather than the gift, we free ourselves from the spiritual and psychological burdens that come with loving and depending on financial resources. If we take our eyes off the Source of our blessings, times of abundance may distract us with material possessions that leave us empty and without meaning, or create a false sense of security that is easily threatened. When inevitable economic downturns occur—when jobs or finances are threatened—we may lose peace and confidence, becoming despondent and fearful. Our grip on our wallets tightens, our generosity diminishes, and we find ourselves imprisoned by unseen forces.

The antidote to this is generosity. In both times of abundance and scarcity, generosity serves as a demonstration of gratitude, trust, and faith in God. It is an acknowledgment that all we have comes from Him. By practicing generosity, we show that our trust lies not in our wealth but in our Father’s loving and faithful provision.