Gaining Riches

My mom is pretty awesome. But as we know from Kung Fu Panda, being awesome doesn't bring in a lot of money.

So we didn't have a lot of money growing up, but we made due. One day my mom told me (I was probably asking about money or something) that even though money was tight, she found that when she tithed faithfully, she had an easier time paying all the bills. When she didn't tithe, suddenly the money seemed that much tighter, even if there was theoretically more of it.

Without even realizing it, she was living out Proverbs 11:24:

"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
    another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want."

Well, mostly. We didn't become rich or anything, but all of needs were provided. When my mom gave, she found she had the money she needed, but when she withheld what she should have given, she suffered want.

This isn't a magic formula, promising that if you throw your money about you're going to become rich. We know this because verses 25-26 elaborate on this proverb.

"Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
    and one who waters will himself be watered.
The people curse him who holds back grain,
    but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it."

Waltke points out that not any "big spender" will suffice. "Gives freely" parallels with "what he should give" and "brings blessing." The proverb is talking about giving money to the needy, not just making big purchases. Quite paradoxically, when one provides for others who need it, they find themselves enriched. On the other hand, those who do not give what should be given to help others bring cursing on themselves as well as want.

Let's be clear, though, this is not a wealth and prosperity gospel I'm preaching here. Giving money to that televangelist will not go to "the needy." That guy probably has a gold-plated toilet.

DO give to your local church. DO help the needy. You may not become rich, but you will be doing a great work for God. You might even find yourself like my mom, being able to pay the bills on time.



Sources Consulted

Picture of Kung Fu Panda from the movie Kung Fu Panda. Go watch it. Seriously, it's fantastic.

Waltke, Bruce K. Chapters 1-14. Grand Rapids, Mich [u.a.: Eedrmans Publ., 2005.

Picture of the golden toilet found at http://bengaltigerc1.wordpress.com/tag/toilet/