Truthworks

“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed”  (Proverbs 11:25).

For the past several days we have focused on the subject of blessing, with specific attention to Lord’s desire to prosper us and thereby empower us to be a blessing to others. We have discussed and discovered many things, and in it all I trust that you have been enriched in every way.

This post will serve as the closing word on this topic – for now.

Rather than go on and on and on, let me leave you pondering the words of Jesus, for He said it in the simplest and most direct way possible — “Give, and it shall be given to you” (Luke 6:38).

It is one of the many remarkable features of following Jesus, that you cannot give without receiving back even more than you gave. The other side is also true — you cannot receive without giving. It’s a two-way street that we walk with the One Way Jesus.

Jesus is only going one way — but it is in every direction. He is building a kingdom, and has invited each of us to become a part of what He is doing. We become a part by giving whatever He has entrusted to us.

You cannot teach without being taught, and you cannot be taught without teaching others. You cannot lead without being a follower; and you cannot follow without being led. If you will look for opportunities to bless someone else, you yourself will be blessed.

Love, and you will be loved. Serve, and you will be served. Smile, and the world will smile with you. Sing, and folks will…..OK, they will probably ask you to keep that to yourself! At least for most of us, anyway.

So, instead of going through life as a taker, grabbing desperately at everything you can get your hands on, and then storing it up in secured bins of plenty — open the flood gates of generosity and start being a giver. The truth be told, you cannot live until you give.

Give your heart to Christ and He will fill it with love. Give your mind to Christ, and He will fill it with truth. Give your dreams to Christ, and He will fill them with heavenly vision and power. Give your hands to Christ, and He will fill them with service; labor that is filled with laughter and significance. Give your time to Christ, and will be redeem it; making you timely in every word and deed.

If you will walk with One Way Jesus on this Two Way Street, everything in and about your life will abound with multiplied blessing.

Solomon said, “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25). I really like the way The Message puts it – ”The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.” (Pro 11:24-25). It is the generous man who fully understands and deeply cherishes the words of the great old hymn –

Great is Thy Faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning with Thee.
Thou changest not; Thy compassions they fail not.
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be!
Great is Thy Faithfulness; GREAT is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see!
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.
Great is Thy faithfulnes, Lord, unto me.

Take the Lord at His word and you will see that He is true and faithful– “Give, and it shall be given unto you.”

See you tomorrow as we embark on a new adventure of devotional treasure hunting in the Word of God.