Business Through the Eyes of Solomon: Giving Unconditionally

A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great. Proverbs 18:16

Passage to be read: Proverbs 11:24-26


One night I received a phone call from my grandmother. She had been battling cancer for a couple of years so my time and talks with her were precious. This night though was different. A few months before this call I had asked my grandmother for a loan, in which I was making payments. In our conversation that night, my grandmother taught me such an important lesson that exhibited her loving heart. She said, "You do not have to pay off the debt." My response was a sounding NO. Which was met with a stern, "Take the note an tear it up." Once again my response was of resistance. And once again it was meet with an authoritative response, "Tear up the note." Silence.......in that moment I was taken back to grandma's house as a child, where I never left without a little something. Whether it was a snack or a silver coin I never left her house without a token of her love. I saw her do it with my girls. As tears began to flow, I asked my grandmother, "Why grandma. After all these years you continue to bless me. Why? Why me?." Her response was simple. Words that I will never forget. "Just because, I love you. Just because." My grandmother went home to be with the Lord three months later. At that moment I realized what it meant to give unconditionally!

Proverbs 11:24-26
One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell.

In a commentary, Arthur T. Pierson wrote , "The future may reveal that God has been withholding from us because we have been withholding from Him." Our wealth is a gift that is to be a blessing to others. Look what Christ says in Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Listen to the words...Give and it will be given to you.

What will be given to you?

A good measure. This means a bounty full return.

Running over. Go to the kitchen and grab the biggest cup and fill it with water till it keeps overflowing. Get the picture? Your blessings will overflow!

Will be poured into your lap. Have you ever been minding your own business and out of the blue a blessing comes? By us being obedient with our giving God in return will lay opportunities at our feet! Opportunities that will become a blessing to you, your family and others!

For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. The amount you give, God will give it back to you! You can never out give God. God wants to bless you, but it starts with giving. You increase, by giving. Solomon writes the following:

Proverbs 3:9-10
Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops;
then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Proverbs 19:17
He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.

Proverbs 22:9
A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

Our wealth is to be used for God's glory. Look at what Solomon says in Proverbs 11:30.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

I love this verse! Your business. Your wealth. Your blessings! Are not to only give you a platform to prop up your success, but to be used to "win souls"! I know of a realtor who acquired financial wealth through her business and decided to help build an orphanage in Latin America! A cousin of mine who has acquired wealth financially helps an orphanage in Mexico. A young man acquired wealth in the stock market. He used his wealth to finance his mission trip around the world sharing the hope of Christ with others. Today he is the founder of The Travel the Road video series that documents his missionary endeavors. His Travel the Road video "business" supports him on his journeys. Our wealth is to become a blessing to our families and those around us! Listen to the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:6-15:

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:

"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Our business has a greater purpose than just meeting a financial need. It is an opportunity, a tool for God to use for his glory! Wouldn't it be awesome, if at church, a missionary comes and gives the congregation an insight into his ministry. He shares his needs. And in that moment, because you have been one who has worked your plan. God has blessed your business, He whispers... "Go and meet the missionary's need!" Your obedience not only supports his endeavors but gives people, whom you will never meet, the opportunity to hear of God's saving grace through Christ! Be wise. Surround yourself with Godly men and women. Work your plan. Live in integrity. Give unconditionally and watch what God does!

His call. His gifts. Your purpose. Irrevocable.