There is a saying, "What goes around, comes around." I'm not sure that is always true, but if you read through Proverbs you'll realize that there is wisdom in pursuing the things of God. In chapter 11, Solomon states some practical and reassuring principles about investing your life. He says things like, "the righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death;" the Lord detests men of perverse heart, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless;" and "Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished."
Those are some great truths by which to live. But the verse that caught my eye in this passage was twenty-five, "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Generosity tells a lot about what is going on in the heart of a person. Oh sure there are people who are generous so that they may gain something in return, whether that's future favors or consideration or simply an attempt to promote their own name.
But the second part of this verse is the telling factor, "those who refreshes others." There it is, a true heart of giving; those who chose willfully to sacrifice of their own resources to the benefit of others. The goal isn't personal gain. It's all out giving.
Giving isn't always just financial or material things. It's using your life to bring a blessing and refreshment to others. It's about pouring yourself out like a drink offering to God. It's watching the neighbors kids so they can do some shopping or run necessary errands or just to give them a break. It's mowing the neighbors lawn. It's lending a hand to someone. It's bringing laughter to those around you. It's ministering in a time of need. It's bringing God's Good News to the downcast.
There are many other verses in the Bible that support this giving heart or mentality, but some of those also bring a promise. Jesus says in Luke, "Give and it will be given to you, a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will pour into your lap." Ecclesiastes says, "Cast your bread on the waters and after many days you'll find it or it will flow back to you." 2 Corinthians says, "whoever sows generously will also reap generously."
Solomon here says that those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. That's a great promise. It's in giving that we are truly the ones who are blessed. Jesus said that it's better to give than receive. It's in our giving that we closely resemble the heart of our God. For God so loved the world that he GAVE. Not only is there an altruistic sense of personal joy when we give, there's an awareness that we partnering with our creator. In some sense we're becoming like him in that moment.
Yet I think that there is more to the promise here. God promises to refresh those who refresh others. As you pour out, you empty yourself, God's promise is to refill you, renew you. Those who pour out need to drink in once in a while otherwise there is nothing left to pour out. He refills our cup through his word, his spirit, his power, his resources. Some of those resources includes the very ones to whom you as the giver refreshed. People will give back to you. Other servants of God will come along side of you and pour into your life.
I've experienced that in my own life recently. There have been many who have come along side of our church and my family personally and financially. It's been refreshing just to see God's family at work. When you pour your life out to refresh others, it's not a vain exercise. Yes people will always take advantage of you. But if you read the rest of this proverb you will discover that they will get their just reward. Rest assured, God is fully aware of your situation. He will dole out in due season the appropriate response. But the choice comes down to us. Give generously or focus on yourself.
God, I want to be known as one who refreshes others, not as one who drains the life out people around me. I want to model your character as a giver. I know that I only have the resources that you bless me with. I want to use them wisely for you, to bless the kingdom, the world you created. Refresh me so that I may continue to be a blessing to others and refresh others in your name.
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