Text – Proverbs 11:24

1. Introduction
   1. We have been reflecting upon 7 Biblical Principles of Prosperity.
      1. The first four principles are personal attitudes and actions that determine our prosperity.
         1. It’s better to be blessed than to be wealthy
         2. Prosperity is earned
         3. Trust: Depending upon God to supply your needs and meet your obligations.
         4. Principle of Margins
      2. The last three are moral principles governing how we treat others.
         1. Integrity
   2. What many do not realize is that in order to enjoy prosperity, one must be generous.
      1. This is counter intuitive. It seems like I would be more prosperous if I would keep everything I’ve saved. However, scripture points in a different direction.
2. Generosity in Scripture
   1. If one is not generous, they will not be prosperous.
      1. Proverbs 11:24
         One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
         another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
      2. Psalms 112:5
         Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely,
         who conducts his affairs with justice.
   2. It is particularly important to be generous and help the poor and needy
      1. Proverbs 19:17
         He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,
         He will reward him for what he has done.
         ESV
         Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD,
         and he will repay him for his deed.
      2. Proverbs 28:27
         He who gives to the poor will lack nothing,
         but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.
   3. The opposite of generosity is greed.
      1. Greed is the cause of dishonesty. One who is greedy will not be honest to gain a monetary advantage
      2. Proverbs 28:22
         A stingy man is eager to get rich
         and is unaware that poverty awaits him.
   4. Being generous with God’s people blesses them, blesses you, and brings praise to God
      1. 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
         Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, 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 and 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.” (Psalms 112:9)

         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 also is 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!

   5. We began this series with the observation that it is better to be blessed than to be wealthy. If one is generous with God, they will be blessed.
      1. Malachi 3:6-12
         “I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.
         “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’
         “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
         “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’
         “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse – the whole nation of you – because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the Lord Almighty. “Then the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.
3. Conclusion: God loves a cheerful giver