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
“And from the seventh mountain, where the vegetation was green and blooming and the whole mountain was thriving and cattle of every kind and birds of the sky were feeding on the vegetation on that mountain, and the vegetation on which they fed became all the more luxuriant, are believers such as these:
They were always sincere and innocent and blessed, holding nothing against one another but always rejoicing in God’s servants and clothed in the Holy Spirit of these virgins, and always having compassion for everyone, and from their labors they supplied everyone’s needs without reproach and without hesitation. The Lord, therefore, seeing their sincerity and utter childlikeness, prospered them in the labors of their hands and favored them in all that they did.
And I, the angel of repentance, declare to you who are like this: continue to act like this, and your descendants will never be blotted out. For the Lord has tested you and has enrolled you among our number, and all your descendants will live with the Son of God, for you have partaken of His Spirit.”
The Shepherd of Hermas 101, Parable IX.24 (c. A.D. 70-140) in The Apostolic Fathers, Greek Texts and English Translations 3rd edition, edited and translated by, Michael W. Holmes after the earlier work of J. B. Lightfoot and J. R. Harmer, 109.
These words “without hesitation” really touched me. I love them. These people don’t flinch.
Those who tap into God’s abundant economy as described in today’s Proverbs realize that they don’t end up empty when they show compassion and help others. They end up enriched. They don’t find themselves destitute but find joy when they distribute.
And notice these people are thriving and sustained magnificently by our good God.
I pray this reflects your life. I pray God sees your sincerity and utter childlikeness and, as a result, lavishes on you whatever you need, whenever you need it. This reflects His desire. It requires faith to experience it.
The question is, “Will you?” I pray so. If not, take heed to the words of the messenger or angel of repentance.