Proverbs 11: King James Bible
Blessings from God – Daily Devotion of Proverbs chapter eleven, Verses 24-26
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. 26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
Daily Inspiration from These Verses – Blessings from God
There are several different things going on in these verses, but I thought I’d keep them all together in one devotional. Reason being, they are all running along the same train of thought.
You’ll notice the word “liberal” in there. This isn’t talking about the political branch of a government (which is an unfortunate use of the word). You can find all kinds of different definitions for this word, but it’s usage here is to mean generous (which is among the earliest definitions), not political affiliation.
Notice that the verse mentioning this, is referring to the “liberal soul.” Not as a social or political philosophy, but a personal nature that causes one to seek to bless others. I wanted to get that out of the way to insure we’re looking at the scriptures properly. Let’s take a look at just a few of the points above.
Scattereth yet Increaseth…
Give and it shall be given unto you; a good measure… We’ve all heard that and read it in the scriptures. These verses underscore the surety of this as being a reality. There is that scatters, but yet increases. Notice that it doesn’t say how, or where the increase comes from?
When you think about it, the Lord God Almighty is our source for two Biblical reasons. First, because all good things come down from the Father. Period. Second, despite how we falter and go back on the things that we either say or promise, he does not. He is not a man that he should lie, nor a son of man that he should repent.
He says what he means, and means what he says. So, when we run into scriptures like the above, we can hold him to it, because he even tells us, that he carefully watches over his Word in order to perform it.
But these verses don’t just end at giving. Like much of the Bible, there are several different tiers of application to the majority of scripture, particularly in the book of Proverbs. For a simple example that we’ve concentrated on in previous devotionals, you can get spiritual instruction and also physical instruction all in one verse.
Dwelling on these verses, I came up with the following, where these could be applied:
- Praise to the Lord
- Giving
- Finances
- Business
- Governing
- Time
- Instruction
- Witnessing
Can you come up with a few of your own?
Related New Testament Scripture
Matthew 25: King James Bible
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Prayer
Father,
Thank you for all that you’ve done, and for all that you’ve given. Help us to be more like you every day. Please help us to use what you’ve given wisely, and to do with the things that you’ve given, that which you originally intended. Help us to understand your way of doing things, better than we do now, despite how well we think we know your ways. If it pleases you Lord, bring us all closer to you than ever before. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen
Question
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