Generosity Versus Greed

For those of you new to Free Money Finance, I post on The Bible and Money every Sunday. Here's why.

Today I'm posting Proverbs 11:24-26, a set of verses that contrast people who are generous versus those who aren't.  From the NIV:

One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell.

I have known so many people who seem to give and give and give and yet they somehow become wealthier. I also regularly see those who hoard their money for themselves, but they never seem to have enough -- and are regularly on the brink of financial ruin. How can this be?

Thoughts and comments?

Comments

[08graduate]

Reversal of cause and effect. People who foresee a surplus give more than people who foresee a shortfall.

[carosgram]

It has been my personal experience that giving has never hurt me in any way - not financially nor emotionally. While I won't claim it happens every time, it does seem to me that often I 'find' money after giving generously.

[Old Limey]

I actually feed a very large, very hungry family, and have been feeding them for years.
It's the only charitable thing I do. The expensive Thistle seed they love is imported from India.

Before you start thinking that I have finally seen the light, I hasten to add that my family consists of a large number of beautiful Goldfinches, that are certainly God's creatures just as much as any other living thing.

[Carol]

Wealth is more than money or material possessions; it's a state of mind. There are people who seemingly live on air and appear to have everything that they need, and there are people who have abundant worldly wealth, who feel that they never have enough. For me, it's a matter of doing the best that I can, then letting God do the rest. Giving is a large part of my life, both in terms of money and time. I can honestly say that by giving that I've been made wealthier.

[Melissa@LittleHouseIntheValley]

I have noticed this, too, even in my own life. I can't help but wonder if it is a reflection of two very different types of people who use and think of their money very differently. However, I like to see God's hand in this.

[James]

Um....okay...how does this square with living below your means? In theory the more you save, the richer you should be.

[Charlotte @ HIMMB]

The scriptures say that God loves a chearful giver and that it's better to give than receive. God takes care of those that take care of others.

[William @ Drop Dead Money]

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be.

In all fairness, there are those who give little but have a lot, too. Generosity isn't a magical recipe for riches. I'd wager, though, that those who are generous typically are happier. And that's true whether the giver is rich or poor.

What's really important? Money isn't as important as many other parts of life. But it is a tool. How we use it shows what's important to us.

[Kelly@FinancialBailoutNews]

If you express that you are willing to share what you have with those who are less fortunate than you, if will come back to you two-fold. Karma can be applied to every aspect of life, even concrete things like finances. If those see that you are generous in times of plenty, they will be more inclined to give back when they too are able. Its a never-ending cycle that some don't believe in but undoubtedly exists.

[JayB]

I am generous in my time and thoughts, but not so much in monetary terms. I do give a dollar here and there for save the children or firemen with burns or whatnot, but mostly I'd rather volunteer my time since I know it is going to good. Giving money and hoping it is going to good is not ideal to me. Especially when you hear the salaries of the top dogs in non-profits or other charitable groups.

[JW]

I agree with JayB. I choose local charities - Volunteer Fire Dept., soup kitchens, food pantires, etc.

And, I'm not expecting anything in return. Rather than returning blessings to the fortunate people, maybe God should spend a little more time helping the poor.

[Georgia]

JW - that is our job. We are God's ambassador's on earth and are to love and care for all his children.

I do give - to the local church, to 2 Christian radio programs, to 4 children overseas and to a missionary couple. Since I have retired I have upped my giving to 20% and am still living nicely - in a small town, low costs, own my own home (a very, very old double wide trailer) and taxes & utilities are low.

I think that why we often are better off when we give is that we must watch our money that much more carefully so we can enjoy life and not hurt others by having to cut off our help to them.