October 13, 2023

The Bible Edge

Practical Points to Ponder from Proverbs

Proverbs 11:24

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

Has it ever occurred to you that that which our Lord asks of us is contrary to human nature? This is because His nature is not human or natural. His nature is eternal and supernatural. The things asked of God’s true children are supernatural things. Today’s verse is a perfect example.

How can one scatter yet increase? How can one withhold more than is needed yet come to poverty? Considering these actions and results with the natural mind they make no sense. To increase, do not scatter. To have riches withhold all you can. It is like the old poem states, “Get all you can and can all you get.” This is the world’s philosophy. Yet John Wesley famously stated, “Earn all you can, save all you can and give all you can.” Two life philosophies as different as night and day.

Christians give to get, die to live, humble themselves to be promoted, and many other like actions all of which are opposite of that which seems right by the natural mind. Perhaps Romans 8:6 means more than we think; For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Thinking more about today’s verse it seems to answer a lot of questions. Like, “Why do some work so hard yet have nothing to show for it?” Or, “Why does it seem like those who are always giving money to Biblical causes always seem to have enough, and more than enough?” Today’s verse explains it. There are so many verses in the Bible that echo the teachings in today’s verse. Matthew 5:42 tells us: Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. This is scattering. Haggai 1:6-7 states: Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. This is the state of those who withhold more than they should. Not just money, but praise, honor, forgiveness, and many other Christian graces that should be given but are too often withheld.

To live a Bible based Christian life be sure to know that your motives, the wisdom of your actions, and the contrary way in which one lives and acts will be questioned by those of purely natural mind and understanding. But know this. Obeying God’s Word always brings you into the realm of the supernatural. What a thing to think about!

William T. Howe, Ph.D.