Proverbs 11:25
A liberal man will be enriched,
and one who waters will himself be watered.
Yesterday we read of God's generosity as a magnificent king. Today we are reminded that we too are kings and queens and are called to live and act in that knowledge. “Liberality” in Scripture means, not leftist political leanings of course, but generosity, open-handedness and certain relaxed gladness in giving. The Scriptural promises concerning giving and receiving are ultimately focused, not on “I scratch your back and you scratch mine” but on really and truly giving with no thought of return so that, paradoxically, we may be rewarded with treasure in heaven. In a certain sense then, biblical giving is done in the hope and expectation of a reward. Jesus himself never rebuked the disciples when they asked “what's is it for me” (Mark 10:28). But he also assured them that their rewards were going to be heavenly, not earthly. That is why he commanded them to go to the poor, the weak, the blind, the lame: in short, to those who could not repay them. For ultimately they and we are to give a gift in his name that nobody could ever pay for: salvation. As Jesus said, “You will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:14).
