Thoughts on Proverbs 11:24-26

It's "Thoughtful Tuesday" in My Thoughtful Spot...

This week, God has me thinking about Proverbs 11:24-26.

"There is one who scatters, yet increases more;
 And there is one who withholds more than is right,
 But it leads to poverty.
 The generous soul will be made rich,
 And he who waters will be watered himself.
 The people will curse him who withholds grain,
 But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it."

When I first read that scripture years ago, I thought about seeds, finances, and the general idea of riches verses poverty. Yet today, as I look at these verses and consider them, I see so much more in them.

I have been blessed by God with various gifts, talents, and some finances. I can do one of two things with these. I can either use them for my own gain and benefits. I can be the stingy Scrooge who refuses to think of giving anything away, worried that I won't have enough left for myself in the end. 
Or, I can share the things that God has given me with others. I can give offerings to help build a water tower in Africa, buy the kid next door the new pair of shoes that their single parent can't afford in these down times, or I can pass on an older coat to a homeless man on the street. I can take the talents that God has given me and use them to serve His people on earth. I can start a tutorial class on how to do something that I know well. I can bless others with what He has given me. I can scatter my seed. 

What benefits are in it for me? Well, I really don't care what's in it for me. I just want to use my blessings to share Christ with others. I want the seed to bear fruit. I want to see others' lives changed because I was willing and obedient to step out in my faith in Jesus Christ. The Word does tell me that I will increase more. I expect to take that increase and be able to pour out more. The Word tells me that my soul will be made rich. I desire for those riches to be in so much abundance that I can't keep them all...I need to give more away. As I water, I will be watered. Let me be watered to the point that my cup overflows and my fountain bubbles over, and it flows down onto someone else. Blessing will be on my head. I hope that those are the crown jewels in my heavenly treasure. 

That is what God has on my mind this Thoughtful Tuesday. I posted it on my facebook page, and I'll say it again here...I want to be a generous scatterer, not a stingy hoarder.