Daily devotional · November 13
Generous People Are Refreshed
“One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. The people will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it. He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it. He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.”
Proverbs makes a claim that sounds backward: some give freely and end up with more, while others hold back and end up in need. The writer is not offering a formula for getting rich; he is describing how generosity shapes a life. A person who blesses others tends to be blessed, and a person who clutches everything tightly often ends up anxious and isolated. The passage also warns that trusting in wealth is a shaky foundation, like a plant that withers, while those who pursue what is right flourish like fresh leaves. Today, look for a chance to be generous in an unexpected way. It could be paying for someone's coffee, mentoring a younger person, forgiving a small debt or offering your expertise for free. Do it without expecting anything in return, and watch how sharing changes the way you feel about what you have.
Prayer
Lord, make me generous in ways that surprise even me. Free my hands from fear of running out. Amen.