Our text for today is Proverbs 11:25.
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
In today’s verse we are introduced to the “generous person.”
I love generous people.
I am frustrated by cheap people.
Many folks do not consider themselves as either generous or non-generous. Those who do not consider themselves as generous ought to find a word other than “non-generous.”
How about these words instead: greedy, selfish, and cheap.
What is cheap?
Once my wife called the ladies at church to provide a meal for a funeral. She called one lady and tried to be easy on her and asked her to bring two loaves of bread. The ladies’ response was “Oh my, TWO loaves?” Another young family was going to a church party and were asked to bring potato chips, they stopped at the store, picked up two of the cheapest brands they could find. That is not frugal, that is cheap.
I remember teaching my son the difference between frugal and cheap on a date. If you drink water because Coke is too expensive, you are frugal. If you won’t let your date have a coke, you are cheap.
Let’s close with First John 3: verse 17,
“If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?”
Be frugal with yourself. Be generous with others.
Lonnie Davis.