“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25 (NLT)
People with daring faith are generous even when they don’t have anything to give. Anybody can be generous when they have a surplus. I can be generous with my time when I have extra time. I can be generous with my money when I have extra money. I can be generous with my energy when I have extra energy to spend. It’s when I don’t have enough time for me, enough money for me, or enough energy for me that God says, “This is a test. I’m watching you to see if you are faithful. Will you be generous, and will you trust me? Will you take me at my word when I promise, ‘The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed'” (Proverbs 11:25 NLT)?
Here are five principles in which God will test you and then bless you:
- God gives to generous people. Why does God want you to be generous? Because he wants you to be like him, and God is a giver.
- Obeying God’s vision will bring God’s provision. If you do what God tells you to do, God will bring along the resources you need at the right time. When he gives you the vision, he will give you the provision.
- When you do all that God tells you to do, he does what you can’t do. God often asks you to do the impossible to stretch your faith. When you give what little you have, God multiplies it and makes up for what is lacking.
- When you have a need, sow a seed. Whatever you need in your life, sow it as a seed, and it will come back to you.
- There is always a delay between sowing and reaping. There is a season between planting and harvesting. What’s going on in the delay? It’s a test of your faith. Will you be faithful to give when you have little? Will you keep on doing the right thing? Do what God wants you to do, no matter the cost, and then see what God does.
