One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

Proverbs 11:24 ESV

 

The natural impulse is to hoard.

Money, food, stuff. Everything is gathered together, then guarded.

We don’t call it selfishness. It’s self-preservation, prudence.

After all, how can we help others if we don’t first look out for self?

Of course, we’ll definitely give more away whenever we’re more financially stable.

And if God would just give more, we could do likewise.

Yet God’s economic principles operate a little differently. Pour out, He says. Give freely is the call of wisdom.

Generosity is a skill for living life according to God’s design. Open-handed generosity, mind you.

By default we store, yet God says to give away.

Why?

Because He gives. And giving images God.

Creation itself is an act of His giving. He chose to form us from the dust, even knowing that we would rebel against Him. And then, He chose to give His life in our place. He descended into human flesh and suffered death via crucifixion for our sake.

God gives. And He is joy.

To give freely is to be like God, to join His pattern for the world, to experience His joy.

Hoarding only makes us desperate for more. Such stinginess effectively denies the giving character of God. It refuses to imitate Him.

Withhold, therefore, and suffer want. Or give freely, and partake in the riches of the Creator.