Day 16: Generosity Reveals the Heart | Learning to Trust God More, 21-Day Firm Foundation Devotional from Psalm 37 - February 19
Day 16 — Generosity Reveals the Heart
Written by Contributor: Patricia Hudson
Psalm 37:21–22, “The wicked borrows and does not repay, But the righteous shows mercy and gives. For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, But those cursed by Him shall be cut off.”
Key Thought: Giving reflects trust.
Prayer: Because I have been made righteous, help me to be generous and faithful.
In Psalm 37, David contrasts the way God protects and saves His people with the ruin which awaits the wicked. He describes not only the blessings of the righteous but also their character and conduct. The Lord blesses the righteous with the promise of an inheritance, protection, provision, and His presence.
“Evil men borrow but do not repay their debt, but the godly show compassion and are generous.” (Psalm 37:21).
The contrasting actions of the wicked and the righteous reveal their purpose of heart in relation to generosity.
“The wicked borrows and does not repay, but the righteous shows mercy and gives.”
David concluded that the difference between the wicked and the righteous was not only found in what they believed and in whom they trusted. The difference was also often seen in their conduct. The wicked are takers, borrowing and not repaying. The righteous are givers, full of mercy.
One of the marks of a wicked person is his lack of trustworthiness. The idea is that he lives in a condition of lack that leads to borrowing but will not have the means of repaying what he has borrowed; that he will be “reckless” about borrowing and careless about paying.
In contrast, a righteous person not only meets his obligations, he practices generosity. The righteous have what they need because God blesses them, and therefore they can give to others. The righteous will not only have enough for himself, but will have the means of showing mercy to others, giving to them what they need. It is a characteristic of a righteous man that he will not borrow when he can avoid it and that he will be punctual in paying what he has borrowed.
“Surely those favored by the Lord will possess the land, but those rejected by Him will be wiped out” (Psalm 37:22).
This verse emphasizes that the righteous will receive favor, blessing, stability, and inheritance from God, while those who reject Him face destruction. The consequence of rejecting God and His ways brings all forms of despair on earth and eternal separation from God.
Key Thought: Giving reflects trust.
Prayer: Because I have been made righteous, help me to be generous and faithful.
In Psalm 37, David contrasts the way God protects and saves His people with the ruin which awaits the wicked. He describes not only the blessings of the righteous but also their character and conduct. The Lord blesses the righteous with the promise of an inheritance, protection, provision, and His presence.
“Evil men borrow but do not repay their debt, but the godly show compassion and are generous.” (Psalm 37:21).
The contrasting actions of the wicked and the righteous reveal their purpose of heart in relation to generosity.
“The wicked borrows and does not repay, but the righteous shows mercy and gives.”
David concluded that the difference between the wicked and the righteous was not only found in what they believed and in whom they trusted. The difference was also often seen in their conduct. The wicked are takers, borrowing and not repaying. The righteous are givers, full of mercy.
One of the marks of a wicked person is his lack of trustworthiness. The idea is that he lives in a condition of lack that leads to borrowing but will not have the means of repaying what he has borrowed; that he will be “reckless” about borrowing and careless about paying.
In contrast, a righteous person not only meets his obligations, he practices generosity. The righteous have what they need because God blesses them, and therefore they can give to others. The righteous will not only have enough for himself, but will have the means of showing mercy to others, giving to them what they need. It is a characteristic of a righteous man that he will not borrow when he can avoid it and that he will be punctual in paying what he has borrowed.
“Surely those favored by the Lord will possess the land, but those rejected by Him will be wiped out” (Psalm 37:22).
This verse emphasizes that the righteous will receive favor, blessing, stability, and inheritance from God, while those who reject Him face destruction. The consequence of rejecting God and His ways brings all forms of despair on earth and eternal separation from God.
Reflection question: In what ways does the heart of the righteous demonstrate generosity to others?
Key insight I gained today:
Today’s action item based on insight:
Key insight I gained today:
Today’s action item based on insight:
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