GENEROUS HEARTS ARE BLESSED (1)

“He who has a GENEROUS eye will be BLESSED, for he gives of his bread to the poor” – Proverbs 22:9

The Word of God affirms that GENEROUS HEARTS are BLESSED: “He who has a GENEROUS eye will be BLESSED, for he gives of his bread to the poor” (Pro.22:9). In Hebrew, to have a generous or good eye means to be someone who is kind and liberal; to look with kindness on others. It described a person who was good, gracious, kind, and generous. A person with a bad eye would be one who is stingy and selfish, and would be seen as an evil, ungodly person. Jesus hinted on this when He said, “The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness” (Lk.11:34-35). Essentially, the eye reflects and reveals the heart!

If the heart is selfish, stingy, and unwilling to give to others, it will yield darkness – produce selfish, ungrateful, and unkind persons. One with a good eye is generous and blessed because he shares his food with the poor, being concerned about those less fortunate than himself. Generosity relates to selflessness and kindness toward others. It involves willingness to share resources and look out for the needs of others, instead of focusing on ourselves and our desires. Generosity is usually associated with money, but there are other ways to be generous. Having an attitude that cares about others and makes sacrifices for others is the essence of generosity.

God consistently warned Israel not to forget the poor: “If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your HEART nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs” (Dt.15:7). It is generosity springing from the HEART that empowers the HAND to give. Paul instructed Timothy: “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to GIVE, willing to SHARE, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (1Tim.6:17-19).

Generosity is commended all through Scripture! We are cautioned against oppressing the poor: “He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches…will surely come to poverty” (v.16); “Do not rob the poor because he is poor, nor oppress the afflicted at the gate” (v.22). There are not only commands to remember the poor, but also promises of blessing to those who do: “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given” (Pro.19:17). Those who are gracious to the poor lend to the Lord, and will be rewarded. In the New Testament, at the Jerusalem Council, Paul was urged to remember the poor, which He was eager to do (Gal.2:10). God wants to show His own gracious Hand as He leads His people to be generous as well; hence we must be gracious and kind to all. Apart from being our duty, it is also an important way that the world around us can see the character and love of our God as He works through us.

As Believers in Christ, the Bible is clear that we’ve received the Grace of Giving; we’re called to live and give generously. Our Father-God is the Greatest Giver (Jh.3:16). He desires His children to discover, demonstrate, and unleash the power of a generous heart. The foundation for this starts with a clear vision of our original design in the image of God (Gen.1:28). As we trust God's Grace to provide for our needs, we’re called to reflect His Large Heart – His Image of Generosity and Blessing!