Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. Proverbs 22:9 ESV

 

Are you a less is more or a more is more person?

 

Some cultures have a concept of an evil eye, a glance that curses and wishes harm on another. But the Bible introduces the opposite. It says, “Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread…” Proverbs 22:9 ESV

Anika had always been a “less is more” person when it came to money and giving. After all, she’d been taught to save because “you never know what’s coming and you need to be sure to have enough for yourself when things go wrong.” Her husband is a “more is more” person, through and through. One day they held a birthday dinner to honor a friend who loved meats. Anika’s husband cooked all day preparing 4 different kinds of meats, a chicken, shrimp, several vegetables with fruits and bread. It was a true feast. The birthday honoree and all the guests loved it and happily piled their plates high.

After the party was over and cleaned up, Anika realized that her husband’s bountiful generosity had produced so much joy in everyone at the dinner. A simple dinner—the kind she would have prepared, would not have been the same.

When we give cheerfully, the Bible says, “God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others…. you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous” (2 Corinthians 9:8,11a).

When we say no to living as prisoners of our own fears or selfish desires, it’s then that we experience the most satisfying, joyous self-fulfillment.  As the proverb reminds us: “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).