”A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:25New International Version (NIV)
Proverbs 11:25 Devotional (Daily Bible Verse)
A generous person will prosper
Proverbs 11:25 states that “A generous person will prosper“. That is, when you give to others, you will prosper.
Furthermore, Luke 6:38 records that Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” And Paul, in 2 Corinthians 9:6, reminded the Corinthians that “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
Therefore, when you carefully observe various occupations, you will conclude that giving leads to a return. No wonder:
- teachers learn their subject better when they teach it;
- parents grow in parenting wisdom as they direct their children;
- pastors increase their knowledge of the Bible as they impart its teachings to their congregation.
Consequently, your generosity in your occupation will bless others, and you will be blessed in the process. In other words, your generosity where you are and in the state you are will bless others, and God will bless you.
It is better to give
Additionally, Acts 20:35 records that Jesus also said that “It is better to give than to receive.” Because your fallen nature wants you to receive from everyone else besides you. That is, your fallen nature wants everyone to “give to you” rather than to give or pour unto others.
Therefore, you shouldn’t give something while expecting something in return. Rather, you should give to help others in loving response to God’s command to do so (Philippians 2:3–4 and 1 John 3:17). And when you give in this way, God is pleased with you.
Giving is the function of a decision
Moreover, Paul alludes to giving as the function of a decision. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul reminded the Corinthians that “Each of them was to give what he/she had decided in their heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion because God loves a cheerful giver.”
Prosperity
While God is under no obligation to prosper you, He often finds a way to prosper and refresh you, sometimes materially, at other times spiritually. And rarely does your generosity return to you as quickly and obviously as it may read in this verse, but it does return.
Nevertheless, the Bible defines prosperity as a function of well-being and flourishing, and enjoying the fullness of life as God intends for you. And Paul, in 2 Corinthians 9:8 promises that “God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
Refreshing others
Finally, the second half of Proverbs 11:25 states that “Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” This is a deeper, more fundamental truth of the law of giving/sowing and receiving/reaping.
Therefore, when you bless others, God blesses you in return.
Intercessory Act/Prayer
Did you know that intercessory act/prayer is a way to refresh others? At any given time, many people carry burdens and therefore need intercessors to call on the Name of the Lord for them. For example what Jesus did for many people in the Gospels and what Peter and John did for the crippled beggar in Acts 3:1-12.
Consequently, when you pray for someone or intervene in someone’s situation, you refresh their weary soul.
Prayer/Blessing
Lord Jesus, help me to be a giver after You. This is my humble prayer in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Psalms 18-22 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
