Mensa Otabil - The Power of Generosity

Watch
Donate

This week we are looking at God’s provision and the many ways in which God provides for us, especially in times of difficulty and hardship. Proverbs 11:24 and 25 states, «There is one who scatters yet increases more, and there is one who withholds more than his right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.» Isn’t that a paradox? God gives to us when we give. Those who give receive.

You know, in times of difficulty, everybody wants to withhold; we want to hold on to what we have because that’s the wisest thing to do. It’s the most logical thing-when there is scarcity, you hold on to your scarcity. But God’s way is counterintuitive. God’s way goes against the way we think or the way we feel we should respond. Throughout the Bible, we find that in times of scarcity, God finds ways of resolving the scarcity by making His people give. So, the passage tells us that we increase by giving. When we give, especially in times of difficulty, God is able to make all grace abound toward us for us to receive.

So, whilst you’re thinking about your own needs and your own problems and your own scarcity, think also of your neighbor, your friend, and the loved one who is also going through difficulty. If we learn to meet the needs of one another, support one another, encourage one another, and share what we have with one another, God causes all these things to come back to us in large measure. We don’t become stingy in times of difficulty; we become rich in generosity. Generosity is a good investment. A generous person is a distributor of God’s resources. So, when times are hard and God has given you something, you shouldn’t see that as only for yourself. You should also see that God has trusted you with resources. He trusts you so much that in times of scarcity, He gave you so much.

So, look around you; you don’t have to look far. Sometimes it’s just somebody in your neighborhood or somebody in your family, a friend, or a loved one, or even a random person who needs your help. If you see your resources as God’s resources, then you become God’s Distribution Center. Givers never lack. Givers receive good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. I pray that as you really give in this season, God will cause your barns to be filled with plenty.

Then the passage says, «He who waters will also be watered himself.» When we water people, when we nourish people, when we allow others to flourish, when we encourage others to do well, we will also be nourished, and we will be encouraged to do well. It goes beyond even giving resources; it extends into the way we relate to people. If we encourage people, we receive encouragement ourselves. If we build up people, we are built up. If we make others happy, we are made happy. The Bible says, «What we sow, we reap.» If you sow happiness, you will reap happiness. If you sow your resources, you will receive resources. If you sow encouragement, you will receive encouragement.

So, determine that in a time of scarcity, you will not be stingy. You will not be stingy with your encouragement or your prayer. Don’t pray only for yourself; pray for others too. Just be a giver of prayer and share the resources that God has blessed you with, because when we do that, we prosper in God’s economy. Let’s pray. Say with me, «Heavenly Father, You reward those who give. I receive increase, abundance, and freshness from You. In Jesus' name, amen, and amen.»