Proverbs 11:24 Scattering or withholding_

One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. Proverbs‬ ‭11:24‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

This verse erupts in richness in the different translations:

There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. Proverbs‬ ‭11:24‬ ‭NASB‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. Proverbs‬ ‭11:24‬ ‭MSG‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

There are who, sewing what is their own, make the more; and there are who, gathering what is another’s, suffer loss. The Septuagint and Vulgate

This parable is one that touches on a key of the kingdom. What does my Father tell me I have? He says to me that the kingdom of heaven is mine. I will be comforted. I will inherit the earth. I will be satisfied. I will receive mercy. I’ll receive one hundred fold in this life and the life to come. The last shall be first. He gave me his son, and with him will freely gives me ALL things! The key is this: my belief in what He says about me is the platform from which I scatter or invest in others — not my natural assessment of what is in my hand in the moment, or the bellicose threat of the adversary staring at me from behind a big bill, or a lawsuit, or a lost job.

Daily I behave from a belief about life and myself. My self view is the foundation from which I express either earth’s or heaven’s supply. One is limited, the other is not and works with a different set of rules. Whether scattering grain to plant seed in a field, money to help another, or a kind word or gesture to lift up one in need, it flows from my perception of my current supply level. If my car is running on “E” why would I ignore the “next gas in 150 miles” sign without stopping? If my bank account is near zero, why would I help another if I have need? My assessment of what I have will affect its flow to another.

On the flip side of giving, is the withholding. The Hebrew carries the meaning of holding back something that is due to another. The mind is tricky, justifying so easily greedy behavior that in any other context would be clearly wrong. Why would I withhold something that is owed to someone? Because I am looking at earth’s supply and judging that I don’t have enough. Poverty of spirit encourages me to do crazy things — even defrauding another to help myself.

There is a lesson here: what the natural man thinks is the best way, probably is not. Listen to the Spirit. Love. Generously. Give of what you have freely. Everyone has something, even if it’s just time, or a kind word, or empathy. Supply comes from the Father, not from my exquisite planning. Faith unlocks a provision of which planning, strategy and execution may fall short. In the end, the one that invests freely and boldly will have way more than he or she could account for. The one who clings greedily to the bread that has reached its expiration will find there is not enough for anyone.