Proverbs 22:9

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about giving:

Proverbs 22:9

He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.

Proverbs 22:9 (ESV Strong's)

Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,

for he shares his bread with the poor.

Some people wonder why they are never the center of gift giving. They always complain when others are honored and wonder, “why not me?” The above proverb sheds some light on the answer to that question: Those who are blessed and honored are generous givers first. Those who open their hearts to give are blessed in return. The law of the harvest a very true law. But, notice what the generous person gives. He doesn’t give out of his savings, but from his very food. He gives what he needs, not what he doesn’t need. We do a great job of giving those things to the poor we no longer have any use for, but how many of us are generous enough to give of our very food? In our society we hear of those of a great riches giving great wealth, and that is good. But, true generosity is to give what you need yourself.  We might consider the woman that Jesus observed putting in a small amount into the offering coffers of the Jewish leaders:

Luke 21:4 (ESV)

For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

She did not match the big gift givers.  No, she surpassed them.   They gave out of the abundance of their treasure and it made little sacrifice for them.  But she put in all she had to live on.  That is a sacrifice and that is true giving that God will bless.  The boy that the disciples found had two loaves and five fishes.  He gave it all to Christ and masses were blessed.