One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25
“Consider what abundant encouragement the Word of God gives, that you shall be no losers by your charity and bounty to them who are in want. As there is scarce any duty prescribed in the Word of God, which is so much insisted on as this; so there is scarce any to which there are so many promises of reward made. This virtue especially hath the promises of this life and that which is to come. If we believe the Scriptures, when a man charitably gives to his neighbor in want, the giver has the greatest advantage by it, even greater than the receiver.”
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) in Christian Charity or The Duty of Charity to the Poor, Explained and Enforced (1732) section III.V.
Scripture speaks clearly about the paradox of generosity. And we only figure it out as we it out. We don’t become losers by our charity but winners. We don’t end up empty, but rather enriched.
Edwards emphasizes here an important nuance of this point. God’s Word gives us “abundant encouragement” to live this way. He adds that there is “scarce any duty” as insisted as giving.
Why? It’s for our good and God’s glory. It offers promises in this life and the life to come. And it reaps more benefits to the giver than the receiver.
Regardless of where you find yourself today, as you approach this calendar year end, stretch your giving to a level of sacrifice and report back to me what happens.
I predict that the only losers will be those who fail to try.