There is one who scatters, yet increases more: and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself (Prov 11:24,25).
A ‘prosperity gospel’ has been trumpeted for centuries by those seeking to justify their own self-indulgence, misleading many as to the purpose of life. Nonetheless, it is true that some are abundantly blessed materially. This can result from what seems coincidence or by being gifted by God with abilities leading to a financial abundance. The point of this parable is to emphasize that God expects those who become rich by whatever means are to generously share with the less blessed lest withholding lead to poverty. This poverty may not necessarily be material poverty but certainly will be spiritual. A parallel teaching is Proverbs 19:17 which teaches that “He that has pity upon the poor lends to the LORD, and that which he has given will He [God] pay him again.” This is a principle which concerns other matters such as showing mercy toward others as Jesus taught on a mountainside, emphasizing that the merciful will themselves be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7). It is the same basic principle as doing for others that we’d like to have done to ourselves should the situation be reversed and we found ourselves in great need. There are multiple passages in both OT and NT scripture which indicate God has a special concern and compassion for the poor. However, this does not extend to those who are slothful (lazy), for “an idle soul shall suffer hunger” (Proverbs 19:15). The great apostle Paul says “if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). There are many other passages in scripture leaving no excuse for any person to not be responsible when it comes to employment. But there are circumstances apart from unwillingness to work where people can find themselves in great lack such as illness or an accident. It is in reference to such persons that Jesus includes as the “least of these My brothers” and we are commanded to provide assistance. And what we provide is seen in heaven as the same as were it done for the Lord Jesus Himself (Matthew 25:40). Note that we are not to lend to the poor, but to give out of pity. In so doing, it’s as if we “lend” to the LORD and are rewarded in the sense that there will be repayment on the coming Day of accountability. Those generous are guaranteed to be made spiritually rich by fulfilling the command of One who gave everything so we might be made rich and blessed in a way that gold and silver can never purchase. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). So let us remain fully aware of that which this parable warns about. There is a rampant spirit of covetousness infecting shepherds and sheep alike, deceiving multitudes to follow a path which does not represent the ways of God. Let us never withhold more than is right, but rather determine to be generous stewards of what God has placed in our hands.
