Television is replete with “ministers of prosperity.” They generally preach that sowing money to their individual ministries, will result in prosperity for those who give. Some, even refer to such funds as “seed money.” With a casual reference to this passage of Scripture, as well as others, they manage to convince even those who have very little, to give what little they have. But if we look at this Scripture closely, we can see, that it is not directed at the poor.
Proverbs 11:24-26
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
Though progressives speak long and loud on matters of “social justice,” and caring for “the less fortunate,” reality says that those same people are rather stingy with their personal assets.
The godless in our government have impoverished many families in this country, through their pseudo-compassionate practices. Their kind of “withholding” leads to poverty. One only needs to study the staggering wealth of the Roman Catholic church, and be amazed that there are any poor Catholics. Yet – the majority of Catholics in Central and South America, as well as in India and other parts of Asia, are desperately poor. Why is that? Because, oligarchical entities like these, do not actually sow, they withhold. And what they withhold even more than money – is the Truth. The truth about abortion, about sodomy, and more importantly, the truth about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Liberal in the above verse is not a political category, but rather a personality. It deals with those who give generously of themselves without expecting anything in return. I stress – giving of themselves – not to be confused with the notion of social justice and redistribution of wealth.
What this verse is describing is the abundant life that truly born-again Christians can experience. We know from His Holy Word, that whatever we sow, we will reap. How wonderful our Lord is, to add unto that with fountains of spiritual riches that no tongue can tell . . .
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
One need only think of Joseph, and the God given wisdom he displayed. He sold the corn generously to the famine stricken populace. (he did not give it away) Now, try taking out the word corn, and replace it with – crude oil. Think how you feel when there is a contrived “gas shortage.” Now think how you feel when there is a nice drop in price at the pump! The life application is clear. What we sell, produce, perform, sow, should be done with a spirit of genuine generosity. It doesn’t matter if you are a home maker, or a garbage collector. What you have is what God has given to you. He allows you to determine how you will dispose of it. Do you “hold back?” Be honest. Is there somewhere you need to sow what you have, and you have been resisting? The Bible says, that kind of thinking and behavior will lead to poverty. And there is more than one kind of poverty. There is the material kind of poverty, which is very uncomfortable, but there is also spiritual poverty, which can be devastating.
No where in Scripture does it say we need to be someone’s doormat, or personal punching bag. What it does say is clear in the above Proverb. Everything we do as believers, must be done in the right spirit. Never for personal gain, yet even if we are doing it for a salary – it should be to His glory. Joseph did not sell the corn for personal gain – he did it in obedience to the Lord. Like Joseph, within His will and righteousness, we may be showered with such blessings that will only bring us closer to Him every day. What bliss!
The Vine Vigil 