Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Proverbs 11:24-27
Prov 11:24-27
One gives freely yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it. Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it.
Acts 20:35
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
God blesses those who use what they have been given, provided it is used to his glory. For those who have but hoard it or just use it for their own pleasures, even what they have will be taken from them. These statements are 100% true, all of the time. The reason we don’t always see it happen is because it may not be in this life. “The rest of the story” is seen in the story of the rich man and Lazarus.
When we look for good things, we find good things. When we search for evil, we will find evil. As in all proverbs, this is a statement that is generally true. It is not a hard and fast rule, but we usually find what we are looking for. This is seen when we go to a performance of our grandchild and what we see is a masterpiece of talent. It may really be a disaster, but we see it as superb since that is what we are looking to see. On the other hand, if we are critical, we see bad things.
This brings to mind what Jesus said about judging others and we will be judged with the same judgment. Forgive, and you will be forgiven, but withhold your forgiveness and it will be withheld from you. Show love and kindness, and it will be shown to you in return. Be generous in helping others and it will come back to you a hundred times. But this only works if our giving and our treatment of others is done to glorify God and not so that we “make a profit” from our actions.
O Lord God, you have given so much for me, in more ways than I can count. In fact, you give to me every single day, things that I don’t even realize I have been given. Thank you for your love shown to me by your giving. I praise you for your goodness and your grace shown to me in Jesus. Thank you for giving your Spirit to live in me and to guide me with your wisdom. Thank you for the strength he gives me to do your will. Lord, be with your people, wherever they are in the world. Use me to help those who are in need, as I have the opportunity to do so. Protect those who are being persecuted for their faith. Give your peace to those who are troubled. Be with our nation and our leaders that they will want to do your will and follow your wisdom. I pray in the name of Jesus my Lord.
Robert
