Proverbs 11:25 A generous person_

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs‬ ‭11:25‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Another translations says: The liberal soul will be made fat.

The word prosper, according to Strong, is from a root meaning to be fat or to fatten; to anoint; figuratively, to satisfy. Today, for those of us are health-conscious, at first it may be a stretch to connect “fat” with blessing. Transporting yourself back a few thousand years, or even a few hundred, being well-fed and fat (whether referring to people or livestock) truly was a sign of prosperity.

Continuing the theme from verse 24 Solomon focuses on a truth that may not be taught in some business schools nor is it practiced at every company. There is a real connection between what proceeds from me internally and what I receive back. Could you imagine if companies took this to heart and made it a practice to use a portion of their profits to contribute to others and bless their community? Some of the best companies have integrated this concept into their values. Solomon says it will help the bottom line. What is good for people, is also good for business. Jesus encouraged us in a similar way:

Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. Luke‬ ‭6:31‬ ‭NASB‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure-pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return. Luke‬ ‭6:38‬ ‭NASB‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Looking closer at the second part of the proverb it says, whoever refreshes or waters others will be refreshed or watered.

There are two different words used for refresh. The first means: To bathe, make drunk, take the fill, satiate, abundantly satisfy, soak, water abundantly. The second comes from a root which means; to flow as water; transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e. to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by aiming the finger), to teach, direct, inform, instruct, show, shoot.

I love the word picture here: when I water and bless another person, fully immerse and pickle them in whatever it is they need, then in response I am the recipient of mentoring, instruction, richness in soul. My aim is refined. I am pointed toward a target and hit the bullseye. Meaning… my pursuits are directed and successful.

In Jesus’ parable of the talents, he concludes with:

For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. Matthew‬ ‭25:29‬ ‭NASB‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

These words aren’t about what I have or don’t have, which is often a reflection of external conditions which I have little control over, but rather they are about the perspective of my heart. Who supplies? Who increases? Where is my source? It’s our Heavenly Father who surrounds me with everything that I need. Everything about my Father is appealing, drawing, careful, responsible… lovely. And even more important to me as the recipient is my desire to be like him. He is generous. He gives. He loves and waters and nurtures. And for me to do the same is an honor. Many I have observed have heard a different voice, one that says protect yourself, look out for yourself, put the responsibility of owning the circumstance back on another (who otherwise could be a recipient of my generosity). It’s our nature to be molded into the image of what we watch and value. Jesus wants us to look at him. Value what he values. While spending time with him I see how he generously gives himself for me. Jesus gave everything for me. Everything! How did that work out for him? He received everything back and now owns it all… and he still wants to share it with me.

Today, I ask myself the probing question: What’s my first gut reaction when I see need that I’m in a position to meet? Whatever that reply is, it is the window into the soul of the matter.

I love the simple message from both Solomon and Jesus: prosperity and refreshing are integral parts of an ecosystem of the kingdom: trust, faith, love, generosity, and sacrifice.

This is incredible to me as I sit and ponder it, this morning.