The New Rick Livermore Site : Devotional: Generosity to Those in Need

Monday, November 13, 2023

Devotional: Generosity to Those in Need

November 13, 2023

Generosity to Those in Need

Psalm 112:5–7, 9

Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor. NIV

The Bible always speaks well of generosity but it has nothing good to say about stinginess. The Bible teaches that wise and judicious generosity is the way to blessing and prosperity, but that stinginess leads to poverty.

The psalmist here pictures a righteous man. He says, "He will never be shaken; he will be remembered forever." Why? What are the causes of that man's stability? He's generous, he lends freely, he has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor. Therefore the psalmist says, "His righteousness endures forever." I believe that many of us today need to recall how central to righteousness is our attitude to the poor, to those who are in need. God has nothing good to say about those who neglect the cry and the need of the poor. Let's remember that that's essential to establishing our righteousness.