Proverbs 11:25, How to Grow Spiritually!

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May 23, Proverbs 11:25

2 Cor. 9:8-11 “Blessed are they that thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matt. 5:6).

How to Grow Spiritually!

Verse 25 is synonymous; both parts making the same point. It re-states the first half of verse 24. Do not both parts of this verse beautifully compliment each other? This is God’s Law and it pervades all His works. The Christian’s rule of spiritual growth is simply this: Water or wither! Be filled from the Well of Life, and channel it to others.

1. Soul Fullness: The liberal soul shall be made fat. The liberal soul is literally, the soul of blessing (11:17). This is the Hebrew way of saying, He restoreth my soul; my cup runneth over. The liberal soul not only gives his bread, but also his heart to the hungry. He remembers the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who though He was rich, yet He became poor for our sakes. He is ready to benefit and bless others, not only in word but also in deed. Thus, God enriches with more true pleasure and more blessed grace those who seek to be a blessing to others. In temporal affairs, many generous souls can testify to this truth. However, in spiritual matters, every gracious act enriches the doer. “Say not, then, you would be liberal if you could. Every man who has a liberal soul however little his purse may be, shares in the blessedness of the liberal” (Lawson). This will be true for every faithful preacher, devoted Sunday School teacher, and caring sickroom visitor (Matt. 25:29). We seem to need continual reminding that the doer is also the receiver! Jesus said: Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you mete withal it shall be measured to you again (Lu. 6:38).

2. Soul Freshness: He that waters is a simple figure to grasp, and a cheering one to consider, namely, the soul’s refreshing (Isa. 43:24-marg., 55:10). He who is a soul of blessing to others, will himself find soul refreshing. This too is God’s Law. Have you ever had the joy of watering a withering soul? This work is the envy of angels, but is reserved for God’s children. It is truly a divine calling. We must be watered regularly or we wither, and the way to be watered ourselves is to water others (Rom. 14:7-8). “You water one who is ready to wither away; and although the precious stream seems to sink into the earth, it rises to heaven and hovers over you, and falls again upon yourself in refreshing dew” (Arnot). There should be no burnout in the service of the Lord! We who are in Christ ourselves, have the inestimable privilege of being used by Christ in saving and serving others. “Let me be bountiful and liberal; for so shall I be like my Lord. He gave Himself for me; shall I grudge Him anything” (CHS)? Our motive can never be a gimmick to get rich quick, as some unscrupulous preachers would have it. “It is not a hedge against inflation” (Alden). Both verses (24-25) assure us that God blesses the generous and scorns the greedy. When we played soccer, the coach would shout “pass the ball”! That was how games were won. The player who held the ball too long generally lost it. “Every holy temper, every spiritual gift, every act of grace is increased by exercise; while its efficiency withers by neglect” (Bridges).

Thought: “What I spent, I had; what I saved, I lost; what I gave, I have.”

Prayer: Make me a channel of blessing to someone today.