Bible Study - Re-Finance (6) - Give Money Generously - Proverbs 11:23-29 - August 21, 2016

Bible Study – Re-Finance (6) – Give Money Generously – August 21, 2016

This is our sixth and final lesson in our series entitled “Re-Finance: Ancient Wisdom for Money Management.”

Our focus scripture is Proverbs 11:23-29.

Use what you have to invest in the lives of others.

In the Advanced Bible Study, summer 2016, pages 115-116, LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0175, Dr. Duane Garrett, professor of Old Testament, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary provides the setting for our focus scripture as copied below:

(Dr. Garrett used the word “aphorisms.” Aphorism is a pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as, “if it ain't broke, don't fix it.”)

[Proverbs 11:23-29 is a collection of individual sayings or aphorisms. These aphorisms sometimes appear to be random, but actually they often form little groups.

Proverbs 11:23 and 27 forms what is called an “inclusion.” These two proverbs are similar to one another and thus create a virtual set of bookends, with verses 24-26 included between the two bookends. Verse 23 sets the desire of the righteous against the hope of the wicked. Verse 27, the other bookend, sets the person who searches for what is good against the one who looks for trouble. Because verse 27 in some sense echoes verse 23, it is a signal to the reader that these two verses are the brackets for a little collection of proverbs. Between these two, verses 24-26 all deal with the theme of generosity and open-handedness, as opposed to greed and hoarding.]

Let’s explore!

Let’s read Proverbs 11:23-27:

23 The desire of the righteous [turns out] well, but the hope of the wicked [leads to] wrath.

This scripture is the first bookend. Notice the desire or the attitude of the heart of the person who is in right relationship with GOD through faith in GOD. Such a relationship, until the coming of JESUS, was based upon ritual which reflected a person’s faith in GOD. Since the coming of JESUS, (HIS birth as a human, life, death, resurrection and ascension) we know that our faith in JESUS is the gateway to GOD. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:21:

21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Also, keep in mind what JESUS said in John 14:6:

6 Jesus told him (Thomas), "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Righteousness means to be in right standing or relationship with GOD which is faith. First, a person must believe that GOD is real. It is not any god but the One True GOD as revealed in the Bible. The Bible is the revelation of GOD on an ever ascending scale culminating with JESUS as the promised Messiah. The resurrection of JESUS is proof that JESUS was and is the promised Messiah. 

The passion of JESUS paid, in full, the penalty for sin and opened the gateway to GOD for all who will place their faith in JESUS. Faith in JESUS and what HE did on the cross, atoning for our sins, makes us (Those who place their faith in the passion of JESUS) righteous (2 Corinthians 5:20). Thus Christians have direct access to HIM through the miracle of rebirth in our spirit. But all must first go through CHRIST to be cleansed by HIS shed blood which GOD declares us righteous before HIM. That is GOD’S plan and rules out anything we can do on our own to be acceptable to GOD other than accept what JESUS did for all who place their faith in JESUS.

Today, we have this full unveiling of knowledge. When this proverb was written there was knowledge of GOD and what it meant when they trusted GOD as they walked with GOD by faith.

In contrast to the righteous, there was knowledge that those who did not place their faith in the One True GOD encountered HIS wrath.

The righteous trust GOD, whereas the hope of the wicked leads only to wrath. Those not being in right relationship with GOD hope in themselves or self-sufficient that somehow they will earn the right to get to Heaven. But they will only experience the wrath of their decision.

This leads us to examples of what has been stated in verse 23 as referenced in verses 24-26.

24 One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.

The words, “gives freely” means to “scatter.” The person who “gives freely” scatters his or her gifts in many different directions which reflect his heart. This giving nature reflects a trusting and confident nature that GOD provides because of being in right relationship with HIM, which not only extends to others through their ministry but gives the assurance that GOD will take care of those who give.

 A person who has this giving heart “gains more.” Does that mean they gain more material possessions or the satisfaction because they are obediently serving GOD and meeting the needs of others? It could be a combination but here we must be cautious. If we have the attitude that we give in order for us to get more, something is wrong and we need a Spiritual checkup. When we give, the Bible is clear that there is a return, which can be defined in many ways other than getting more resources. Certainly one way is the satisfaction of obediently serving our LORD and the unspeakable joy it brings.

The flip side is the stingy person withholds his or her resources thinking he or she will have more for himself or herself only to find that he or she has become poor. The stingy person could be poor in the joy of obediently serving because he or she is missing out on obediently serving others and gaining the satisfaction that only GOD gives in recognition that all we have comes from HIM. If we hoard, when life is over, we will leave it all behind. Only what we do in obedience to GOD will result in heavenly treasure. Obedient sharing and giving, as led by the Holy Spirit, helps us to grow more in our relationship with GOD because we see our LORD meeting our needs both physically and Spiritually.

This next example addresses the generous versus the stingy.

25 A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water.

This to me helps define “generous.” Some people can give much and others not as much, as reflected in giving a drink of water. The point being, regardless of the size or nature of the gift when it is given, as GOD leads us, it is pleasing to GOD and does not go unnoticed by HIM.

JESUS stated it well in Matthew 10:42:

42 And whoever gives just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple -I assure you: He will never lose his reward!"

Never moan that you have nothing to give. Opportunity surrounds us every day. It is not the size of the gift but the obedience to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

JESUS taught this in Luke 21:1-4:

1 He (JESUS) looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury.

2 He also saw a poor widow dropping in two tiny coins.

3 "I tell you the truth," He said. "This poor widow has put in more than all of them.

4 For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on."

We can live longer without food than we can without water. Water is vital to sustain life. JESUS is the living water that is vital to every person upon earth. 

We who are Christians contain this living water which we can share with others with whom we come into contact each day. Will we?

Let’s continue with our lesson scripture in Proverbs 11:26:

26 People will curse anyone who hoards grain, but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.

This example deals with those who have and are unwilling to sell what is needed by others for fear they may not have enough. We may have been wise and foresaw a need coming and we planned for it. It came to pass and we have plenty but we are unwilling to sell it to others for fear that we may need it. We do need to lookout for our needs and the needs of our family. But when we see that we have enough to meet our needs we need to sell our excess. Doing so honors GOD and shows our trust in GOD that HE will supply all of our needs. 

Those who hoard because of fear they might need it incur the hostility of those in need. Such an attitude does not honor GOD as depicted in the Old Testament or JESUS as Christians represent in today’s world.

This leads us to the last bookend, which reflects verse 23.

27 The one who searches for what is good finds favor, but if someone looks for trouble, it will come to him.

We all know or have known people who look on the Brightside of life. They can turn lemons into lemonade. Circumstances may not change but they do not let whatever has befallen them continue to control them. By the same token, those who look for gloom and doom will surely find it.

Let’s read Proverbs 11:28-29:

28 Anyone trusting in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage.

Riches can breed self-sufficiency. Just because a person is wealthy does not mean he or she will fall. It is trusting riches that has the potential to become the problem. Often, those who are self-sufficient do not need GOD but those who are in right relationship with GOD flourish, regardless of their wealth. 

This does not necessarily mean they will always have monetary resources but they will have the wealth, joy and satisfaction that come from obediently serving GOD. Trust in GOD breeds confidence in all aspects of living. It allows a person to roll with the punches because he or she fully trusts GOD to meet his or her every need.

I have known several very wealthy people who used their wealth in such a way that they tried not to let their left hand know what their right hand was doing. In other words, they attempted to minister, as led by the Holy Spirit, in secret. Having the right relationship with GOD is vital in the management of your household.

Flourishing foliage gives the impression of a well nourished plant that gets the right amount of sunshine, water, cultivation and nutrients, which produces strength to resist pest, blight and good fruit. Such is the picture of those who have the right relationship with GOD through faith in CHRIST.

It is likely many of us have either observed or known families who have appeared to be Godly and their children have not turned out very well. We must keep in mind that GOD made us with the right to choose. Our role as parents is to raise our children up as GOD desires but it is their right to choose. But a key verse that many Godly parent or parents have to hang onto is found in Proverbs 22:6:

6 Teach a youth about the way he (or she) should go; even when he (or she) is old he will not depart from it.

My wife and I hung onto this verse and saw it fulfilled.

29 The one who brings ruin on his household will inherit the wind, and a fool will be a slave to someone whose heart is wise.

What does it mean to inherit the wind? The wind is an invisible force. We can see the effects of the wind which can be beneficial or wreak destruction. If we attempt to catch the wind, we come up empty handed. In this case, the wrong lifestyle and attitude of a person within a household, be it parent or child who does not have the right relationship with GOD, can wreak ruin on his or her family.

Those who live a self-directed life as opposed to a GOD-directed life can bring ruin on their household. When they live a self-centered life, they are not walking in the will of GOD.

Those who live foolishly will become the slave of the wise. An ungodly lifestyle has consequences not only upon the person but also upon his or her family.

Be wise and place your life into the hands of the One True Living GOD by placing your faith in JESUS the CHRIST and live in obedience to the Holy Spirit as HE leads and directs your life. Salvation is just the beginning of a wonderful journey hand-in-hand with both GOD and CHRIST. Be Wise! Walk in step with GOD by building an intimate, loving, personal relationship with HIM. Blessings!!!