Read Proverbs 11:16-31

Proverbs 11:24, "There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty."

 Proverbs 11:30, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise."

Both of these verses speak from the standpoint of action and result. Proverbs 11:24 speaks specifically about the issue of giving our substance. To "scatter" is to disperse, and scattering one’s possessions not only brings a blessing to the recipient, but also to the one scattering, for it will result in an increase.  Any person who is stingy or a hoarder will not experience the blessing of helping someone else, and the result tends to poverty.  Proverbs 11:25 states, "The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself."  Are you "withholding" something that God expects you to be giving?

Proverbs 11:30 has two significant parts.  First, concerns the fruit of righteousness, which is a life-giving fruit. "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life..." Righteousness tends to life just as sin tends to death. God is the author of life, Jesus stated in John 10:10, "...I am come that they (everyone) might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." Righteousness leads to life and in a more abundant manner.

The second thought is found in the words, "...and he that winneth souls is wise."  We often introduce a New Testament application of this blessed truth concerning the winning of souls.  This is indeed an acceptable application. However, the immediate sense was likely not of evangelism, but rather of winning the friendship or confidence of others. It speaks of winning others over to ourselves.  This, indeed, is wise and is better than the alternative of alienating people from ourselves.  

The New Testament application is that of winning souls.  A person's godly example, his teaching, and his witness should lead to an eternal fruit of righteousness.  Are you impacting others concerning eternity?  Paul, the Apostle stated, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen:  for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18) The bottom line of Proverbs 11:30 is this:  "...he that winneth souls is wise."  Dr. Jack Hyles signed my Bible years ago and included the verse Daniel 12:3.  It states, "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.” That certainly sounds like the eternal reward for those who are soul winners.

I pray we will live life wisely, according to God's plans and purposes.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  How does giving to a local church make a difference in our world?

2.  Are you more a giver or a taker?  What do your actions tell you?

3.  Does your life reflect fruit that leads to life eternal?  What do the words, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life…” mean to you?

4.  Based upon Proverbs 11:30 are you wise or unwise?  What can you do to be wise?