Generosity and Poverty (Proverbs 11)

On March 7, 1965, black Americans marched from Selma, Alabama to Montgomery to advocate for voter rights.

When the marchers moved across the Pettus bridge, they were met by local law enforcement officials determined to break up the protest. What had been a non-violent action turned into a raw expression of power and violence.

Protestors were attacked by dogs, beaten, kicked, bloodied, and arrested. The carnage was broadcast on our black and white television, along with millions of other shocked Americans.

That bloody day was instrumental in the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. One would think that voting rights would be established by the use of violent protest and power. 

However, the non-violent approach showed racism for the evil it was, an evil that had to be expunged from American society. Change came, not through the exercise of power, but through suffering and humiliation. This is not intuitive.

But this is the way of God’s Kingdom. So many things are counterintuitive.

The last shall be the first (Mark 10:31). Power is made perfect in weakness (II Corinthians 12:9). The praise of children and infants will silence the avengers (Psalm 8:2). Whoever wants to be great must be the servant of all (Matthew 20:26). Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who mistreat you and pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:27-28). To save your life, you must lose your life (Matthew 16:25).

The Paradox of Generosity

Proverbs 11:24 is one of those counterintuitive teachings. Those who act with generosity and give to others will increase their wealth. Those who are not gracious and hoard their wealth will find themselves in want.

“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 poverty. A generous person will be prosperous, And one who gives others plenty of water will himself be given plenty. One who withholds grain, the people will curse him, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.” (Proverbs 11:24-26 NASB)

The main point of the proverb is found in verse 24, with verses 25-26 elaborating on that truth.

Like so many proverbs, a contrast is drawn between two behaviors: one is generosity and the other is miserliness. In fact, the act of generosity is more literally understood as scatter, which implies “throwing widely,” hinting at open-handed generosity.

The surprising conclusion drawn is that the generous get richer and the miserly poorer. This is certainly counterintuitive to the “common knowledge” that those who give away become poorer, and those who keep their wealth become richer. 

This is so obvious and apparent that no explanation is needed. Simply stated, if we give away some of our monthly pay, we will become poorer than the colleague who keeps their entire income.

How then can we understand this apparent paradox? Thankfully, verses 25-26 provide further clarification.

Verse 25 uses both animal husbandry and horticulture terms.

A generous person will be prosperous,
And one who gives others plenty of water will himself be given plenty.

The first phrase in verse 25 can be more literally translated “a life bestowing blessings will be fattened”. In many cultures, “fat” is associated with wealth, prosperity, health, and satisfaction.

I know this for a fact, as my son-in-law is Persian and at one family gathering several of his family members, with glee, told me that I looked “fatter”. For them, it was a compliment. I drank smoothies for four days after that!

Continuing, the Proverb states that those who give water will in turn be “drenched”. This is referring to a dry land with crops in need of water. Animal husbandry and farming were the mainstays of Israel’s life.

The Proverb assures us that those who bless others will in turn receive God’s blessing. This divine order places God at the center of life, with His promise to bless those who give generously.

The Proverb takes a new meaning if we realize that material wealth and possessions are ultimately from the hand of God (Deuteronomy 8:18).

This is contrasted with the one who would withhold the sale of grain. Proverbs 11:28 makes it clear that relying on one’s wealth will fail. Grain was bought and sold by traders and was associated with basic sustenance.

We see Joseph open the granaries during the famine (Genesis 41:56; 42:4) and the LORD makes war against the Moabites for refusing to sell grain to the sojourning Israelites (Deuteronomy 2:26-38). The reason for withholding the sale of such an essential item was likely to manipulate the price to the advantage of the trader.

This led to their increased wealth at the expense of others. In common Hebrew form, the Proverb closes by stating that God’s blessing will be on the one who sells their grain.

The contrast is between one who trusts God and knows that all they have belongs to God (Psalm 24) and the person who trusts themselves.

The wise person knows that all that they have, even as a result of their hard work, is made possible by and under the hand of God.

This is in contrast to one who believes they have what they’ve earned. The fool pridefully believes that they have what they have earned and places their confidence in their wealth. The wise person thanks God for what they have and places their trust in Him.

Therefore, the wise man is generous, having concern for others in need. The wise man gives to the poor and openly handedly “scatters” his wealth. The wise woman gives as God directs, knowing that God is fully capable of enriching her life.

A Legacy of Generosity

In 1991, my wife and I felt called to move to Poland and serve with churches in their children’s ministry work. There were a few barriers, not the least of which was school debt. It wasn’t overwhelming, but with our limited income, it would take years to pay off the loan.

Somehow, the church receptionist, Melinda Nicholas, heard of our dilemma. She met with us and asked about our situation and graciously agreed to help us with our debt problem.

Six months later, we were in Poland, and the ministry we have today may have never developed if it were not for her gracious giving. Melinda moved into the presence of the LORD this last week and has left a legacy of generosity affecting thousands of children around the world.

In contrast, the miserly hoard and gather wealth, concerned only with themselves. God’s concerns are unimportant. Their focus is on financial stability and filling the storage bins for the future.

At this point, we are drawn to Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew‬ 6‬:19‬-21‬ NASB)‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Like the Proverb, a wise person is concerned about God’s Kingdom priorities and is generous in their giving to God, knowing that they are joining in His Kingdom work.

In contrast is the fool who is concerned only about the accumulation of earthly treasures. Those whose sole focus is on the accumulation of wealth will meet loss.

As Chuck Norris stated, “Some of the most miserable people I know are some of the richest people in America; they are the most miserable individuals I’ve ever seen.”

The Proverb assures the generous giver that their trust in God and commitment to His Kingdom work will not go unrewarded.