Proverbs 11:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

NIV: One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

NASB: There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in poverty.

CSB: One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.

NLT: Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.

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

NKJV: There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.

Common English proverbs echo the sentiment of this verse. The expression "you only get what you give" captures a similar idea. Those who are generous with others often see that kindness repaid, especially in hard times. Those who are greedy or stingy frequently find themselves ignored during a crisis. Spiritually, God rewards those who recognize His ownership of all things and commit to using material resources to help others (Luke 6:38). Especially in the ancient world, when survival was more closely tied to one's neighbors, this relationship was crucial.

In Israel's agricultural society a good harvest was essential to prosperity. The more produce a farmer harvested, the more prosperous he became. However, The Lord had instructed farmers to leave some of the grain for the needy. Leviticus 19:9–10 commands: "When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the LORD your God."

The apostle Paul reflects the truth of Proverbs 11:24 by writing: "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully…God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:6–7). In commending the Philippian believers for their generosity, Paul promised, "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

This continues a long passage filled with Solomon's general, common-sense observations. As in chapter 10, Solomon presents a variety of contrasts. We see distinctions such as those between integrity and dishonesty, trust in wealth and trust in the Lord, wise and foolish talk, true riches and false riches, the blessing of the righteous and the harm caused by the wicked, and the respective rewards of the godly and those who are evil.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.