Proverbs 22:9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.
Proverbs 11:25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.
Proverbs 21:13 Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered. 1
Peter 4:9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.
Are you a puddle or a pipeline? When water collects in a puddle, it becomes stagnant and brackish; it has no outlet or circulation. A pipeline, on the other hand, is filled with water; its job is to convey refreshing liquid to the spigot for the benefit of others. What flows in is meant to flow out.
Proverbs reminds us that God blesses those who live according to His will. But His blessings are never intended for selfish consumption. From the beginning, God told His people they would be blessed to become a blessing to others.
Think how God has blessed you—your time, resources, and opportunities. Are those blessings collecting like stagnant puddles, or are they flowing like life-giving streams? The healthiest Christian life is one marked by both receiving and releasing. Ask the Lord today to make you a channel of living water. As you bless others, you’ll discover something wonderful: God keeps the pipeline full. (Dr. Jeremiah)
God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.
