“He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and that which he has given He will repay to him.”
Proverbs 19:17, Amplified Bible Classic
Charity and giving to those less fortunate or in need is a higher calling. It is a powerful demonstration of God's own nature—a giving and providing Father—and is the very heart of a surrendered disciple of Christ. The verse in view here is a wonderful reminder of how acts of kindness are integrated into the economy of the Kingdom of God.
Notice what it says: lending to the poor is lending to the Lord Himself, and it is He who repays us. I can testify to the truth of this verse from firsthand experience. I have seen it prove itself true, time and again. When we cast our bread upon the waters, it always returns, and often in greater proportion than what was given. God regards acts of mercy and kindness with specific compensation and blessing. These acts are a blessing not only to the receiver but also to the giver.
This deep trust in God’s promise of repayment forms the basis for a radical approach to charity: we should not place strings or conditions on our giving. Our role in this transaction is to give the gift, and what the recipient does with it remains between them and the Lord alone. Since God is the one who repays the debt, we can rest in this truth and leave judgment to Him. If we give to a person in need, even though we hope that the gift will be used for the best purpose, if they choose otherwise, that is none of our business. Our focus remains on the command to show mercy, as Jesus taught:
“Judge not [neither pronouncing judgment nor subjecting to censure], and you will not be judged; do not condemn and pronounce guilty, and you will not be condemned and pronounced guilty; acquit and forgive and release... Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom... For with the measure you deal out... it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:37-38, Amplified Bible Classic
I take these words of Jesus to heart. This is the foundation for a life of charity: to the merciful, God shows mercy. And to the one who waters others, he himself will be watered!
“The liberal person shall be enriched, and he who waters shall himself be watered.”
Proverbs 11:25, Amplified Bible Classic
Here, a clear spiritual principle is in play: Charity is a blessing to both the giver and the receiver. The way we sow, and what we sow, impacts what we reap and receive. This is the divine economy of the Kingdom of God. Our motivation is to display the opposite of the world's greed, recognizing that every act of giving is an act of trust in God’s provision.
The Word is clear: charity is blessed by the Lord.
“He who gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes [from their want] will have many a curse.”
Proverbs 28:27, Amplified Bible Classic
“He who has a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.”
Proverbs 22:9, Amplified Bible Classic
God loves a cheerful giver, so let us be glad to help others without passing judgment on them. Let us give when we have it to give, knowing that our generosity demonstrates His presence and builds the foundations of the abundant life. Amen!
Proverbs 19:17, Amplified Bible Classic
Charity and giving to those less fortunate or in need is a higher calling. It is a powerful demonstration of God's own nature—a giving and providing Father—and is the very heart of a surrendered disciple of Christ. The verse in view here is a wonderful reminder of how acts of kindness are integrated into the economy of the Kingdom of God.
Notice what it says: lending to the poor is lending to the Lord Himself, and it is He who repays us. I can testify to the truth of this verse from firsthand experience. I have seen it prove itself true, time and again. When we cast our bread upon the waters, it always returns, and often in greater proportion than what was given. God regards acts of mercy and kindness with specific compensation and blessing. These acts are a blessing not only to the receiver but also to the giver.
This deep trust in God’s promise of repayment forms the basis for a radical approach to charity: we should not place strings or conditions on our giving. Our role in this transaction is to give the gift, and what the recipient does with it remains between them and the Lord alone. Since God is the one who repays the debt, we can rest in this truth and leave judgment to Him. If we give to a person in need, even though we hope that the gift will be used for the best purpose, if they choose otherwise, that is none of our business. Our focus remains on the command to show mercy, as Jesus taught:
“Judge not [neither pronouncing judgment nor subjecting to censure], and you will not be judged; do not condemn and pronounce guilty, and you will not be condemned and pronounced guilty; acquit and forgive and release... Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom... For with the measure you deal out... it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:37-38, Amplified Bible Classic
I take these words of Jesus to heart. This is the foundation for a life of charity: to the merciful, God shows mercy. And to the one who waters others, he himself will be watered!
“The liberal person shall be enriched, and he who waters shall himself be watered.”
Proverbs 11:25, Amplified Bible Classic
Here, a clear spiritual principle is in play: Charity is a blessing to both the giver and the receiver. The way we sow, and what we sow, impacts what we reap and receive. This is the divine economy of the Kingdom of God. Our motivation is to display the opposite of the world's greed, recognizing that every act of giving is an act of trust in God’s provision.
The Word is clear: charity is blessed by the Lord.
“He who gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes [from their want] will have many a curse.”
Proverbs 28:27, Amplified Bible Classic
“He who has a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.”
Proverbs 22:9, Amplified Bible Classic
God loves a cheerful giver, so let us be glad to help others without passing judgment on them. Let us give when we have it to give, knowing that our generosity demonstrates His presence and builds the foundations of the abundant life. Amen!
