Proverbs 11:24
“He who blesses others will be made prosperous…
…And he that waters others will be watered also himself.”
If we expect to continue to have the blessings of heaven upon our children, our finances, and our health, we must be in the giving business.
The United States of America has become a great country and a blessed one…not because of its shrewd business practices…but rather because of its obedience to God’s Word. One example of this can been clearly seen through the good will, kindness, and hospitality that it has historically shown towards one another, and towards people in other countries around the world. We literally give billions of dollars away each and every year through government agencies and non-profit corporations throughout the country.
We certainly have had our problems throughout our history. However, we have not had to deal with the constant unending inner rebellions and turmoil to the extent they do elsewhere. Primarily, because overall, we deal with a fair hand to one another. Nevertheless, if we ever begin to withhold from one another and oppress one another...the light in Lady Liberty’s hand will no longer shine in the harbor of this country, as it has in years gone by. But rather, the oil in her lamp will dry up, and her light will go out!
Proverbs 11:25
“He that does not sell his grain… the people will curse ….”
One of the most popular tactics some of the wealthier commodity traders use is the holding off on either buying or selling goods.
For example, let’s say a small coffee farmer in the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico is ready to harvest his coffee crop. He then goes to the buyer to negotiate a sell of the crop. The buyer says, “I am not buying coffee this year, but if you insist on selling I will give you such and such a price.” This price, by the way, is not usually enough money with which the farmer could break even. However, because he and his family are practically starving, he sells the coffee for the low price. The buyer then extends the poor farmer a credit for other needs that he might have based on the value of the crop for the following year. When the next year’s crop comes in, the poor farmer no longer owns that crop, but many times is forced to sell the land as payment for the debt.
Then the farmer now works the land, land that he once owned, at even a lower wage than before. The buyer then broadens his influence in the market and holds onto the coffee, storing it in big storages sheds waiting until the price of coffee reaches its peak.
It is for this and other reasons that the country of Mexico and other Central and South American countries are in constant political and economic turmoil. The people put a curse upon themselves through oppressing one another, instead of engaging in just business practices that are fair for everyone involved.
Proverbs 11:26
But blessing will be upon the head of him that sells what he has...”
Don’t oppress your neighbor, and then expect to receive a bountiful harvest of mercy! Don’t give with teaspoons…and then expect a shovel load back in return. Listen to the words of Christ saying, “Give and it will be given back to you in large measures, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will others give back to you. For with the same measurement you use to give, the same measurement will be used to give back to you.”
Give bountifully, and you will receive bountifully! It is imperative for us as individual to live a life that gives, shares, and deals fairly.