Liberality and Prosperity

You Cannot out give God.

”Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.  The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25 NLT.

My comments today are about, “Liberality and Prosperity.”

You will seldom have enough money until and unless you understand basic principles about handling money. I am thankful for practical truths my dad taught me about Biblical stewardship. Those principles are true and timeless and will work for you when you have much and when you have much less. A simple truth stands true. ”The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25 NLT.

Stewardship begins with obedience and all proceeds from there.  Liberality is first established in your tithe and offerings to God and His Church and your caring provision for your family and is extended through generosity with others in need, as God and your heart will direct you. After those disciplines, live gratefully and wisely within your income.

And finally, always set aside some of God’s current blessings as provision for your needs, both current and future. That is a Biblical and practical stewardship. Generosity is not always the easiest thing to do, but that is always the best thing to do.

Solomon said, “There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise. But a foolish man squanders it.” Proverbs 21:20 NKJ. You save as an issue of stewardship. You give as an act of obedience as God directs. ”Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2 NLT.

Throughout our married life, Gayle and I have tried to do that when we made less and when God blessed us with more. We are careful  about credit card debt and long term financial obligations. Before our marriage, my dad recommended a percentage of gross income to allocate for housing. His counsel has been helpful to keep expenses proportional to income.

We have developed a lifestyle reliant on debt, with a culture that encourages and enables our doing so. The wheels of commerce are greased by a continuing cycle of borrowing and a growing debt. That does not work long for a nation, and it will not work at all for your household.

You will not enjoy Kingdom prosperity while living by the world’s values and unbridled habits. The next time you admire someone’s expensive home or car, consider the debt those require, as well as the financial, marital, and emotional cost of having those possessions.

Because a merchant or bank will give you credit does not mean it is wise for you to accept. Availability is not the same as affordability. Affordability does not mean an expense is the right thing or the right time for you. You and I are stewards of what belongs to God.

Years earlier, I felt challenged to resist impulse purchases. I learned to consider financial decisions and purchases by placing my heart and desires before the Lord for His time to provide them.

Kingdom prosperity never depends on the world’s economy. “There was a famine in the land . . then Isaac sowed . . and reaped a hundredfold, and the Lord blessed him.” Genesis 26:1, 12-13 NIV. A famine around you will not prevent God’s blessing upon you. God only multiplies what you sow. Sow liberally.

My goal is to save purposely, spend wisely, and give generously.

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