Day 45: Blessing from Generation to Generation

In 2 Corinthians 9:5-9, where God promises us abundant provision, Paul quotes Psalm 112 from the Old Testament. This psalm pictures a man of outstanding righteousness whose life is built firmly on the foundation of God's Word and the fear of the Lord. This is what it says:

"Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in [the LORD's] commands. His children will be mighty in the land; each generation of the upright will be blessed. [That's a promise of continuing blessing from generation to generation. Verse 3:] Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. [Notice the direct connection between righteousness and wealth and riches in his house. Verse 5:] Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely… [That's the same principle again: increase comes through scattering. Verse 8, such a man:] His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes. [Verse 9, the verse that Paul quotes in 2 Corinthians 9:] He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honour." (verses 1-3, 5, 8-9, NIV)

We see again scattering is a mark of righteousness that's giving generously and not withholding, and it establishes our righteousness and it ensures that we will reap. We could say this: lending and giving generously are joined with righteousness, security and prosperity. It's God's purposes, they can never be separated.

Again, we have the same paradox of scattering and withholding in Proverbs 11:24:

"One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty." (NIV)

Withholding from God and from the poor what we need to give them will bring poverty. But giving freely, scattering in faith according to the principles of God's Word, giving to God and giving to those who are in need, will cause us to gain even more. Bear in mind, all this has to be done in faith because without faith it is impossible to please God. That's why we give before we receive, we scatter before we reap. It's always the faith principle.