DON'T HOLD BACK
PROVERBS 11:24-25
PROVERBS 11:24-25 NKJV
24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more;
And there is one who withholds more than is right,
But it leads to poverty.
25 The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself.
OBSERVATION:
This title could be a bit misleading. Whenever people think of holding something back, it is often emotions and feelings that come to mind. We have been taught it's not good to hold back our feelings. Just vent; let it go.
Actually, the Bible encourages us to not hold back, but the scriptures do not refer to feelings. When the Bible encourages letting go, it is with acts of giving and love. Don't hold back being generous.
In the NIV version, these two verses read very clear.
24 One person gives freely yet gains even more; another withholds unduly but comes to poverty.
25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
God's ways are different from our ways. His way is to give, then it will be given to you. Not it is given to you, and then you give.
We want others to be good to us. Sow seeds of goodness and kindness to others first. Don't wait for the blessings to come to you. Be a blessing first. Don't wait for others to give to you. Give to others first.
These verses in Proverbs remind me of the verses in Galatians. Paul wrote the church and reminded them that a person reaps what he sows. Whether that is material goods, money, love, kindness, or help. God is not mocked. He established the laws of sowing and reaping.
APPLICATION:
There is a great question we can ask ourselves as we observe areas of our life that may be lacking or deficient. What am I sowing in regard to those areas?
If you are not holding back and giving/sowing freely, then keep up the good work, and do not lose heart.
If you have been withholding too much. Then purpose in your heart to be generous and look for ways to be more of a blessing.
Sound simplistic? Maybe. But God's ways are not too high or too deep to be attainable. So, hold back on the anger but don't hold back on being generous.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, You are the original generous giver. My desire is to be a person that does not hold back.