Blessing Displayed in Generosity
Psalms 37:25-26
"Better is the little that the righteous has"--it is enough to be abundant in generosity.
Published March 30th, 2016
Share / Groups / About Author

Meditations
I am no fan of the health, wealth and prosperity gospel. Still, we would be wrong to discount any normative connection between God's presence in a person's life and their finances. A thoughtful reading of Psalm 37:25-26 gives good perspective. This passage speaks of the "righteous." Who are they? The righteous in Psalm 37 are those who wait for and trust in the Lord, live in accord to his ways, and delight in him. They put off anger and worry, clothing themselves rather in generosity and wisdom with the Word implanted in their hearts. What blessing marks the righteous in this passage? The righteous are assured of the presence of the Lord in providing all their needs (cf Matthew 6:25-33). But that is not all. These verses make an additional assertion regarding the finances of the righteous. The righteous are ever giving—not always living in abundance ( vs 16 ) , but always living in generosity. And there is a big difference. Rich people can donate large sums to charity but may not be generous, while a poor widow can demonstrate a profound giving heart with a gift of two small copper coins (Mark 12:41-44). She is the generous one, trusting the Lord in whom she delights that her children will not need to beg for bread. Indeed " better is the little that the righteous has" (vs 16)—it is enough to be abundant in generosity!
notes
Phrase
OT
Psalms 37:25-26
esv
I have been young,
Concessive
and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
Negative
or his children begging
Result
for bread.
Purpose
He is ever lending generously,
and his children become a blessing.
phrasing