The Generous Eye
Howdy, friend, come on up to this ol’ front porch and settle yourself right down. Well, I declare, it sure is a treat to see you today. If you could hear that cranky ol’ bullfrog fussin’ at a turtle that keeps bumpin’ him off his favorite mud patch or smell the cornbread coolin’ on the windowsill, you’d know you’ve stepped into a place where your spirit can breathe deep. Let’s chew on a truth that moseys up quicker than a lil’ ol’ barn cat lookin’ for scraps. Proverbs 22:9 leans on the porch rail and says, “He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.” And Psalm 112:5 strolls up beside it, “A good man deals graciously and lends.” These two verses fit together real good like two lil’ fireflies dancin’ in the same summer jar, glowin’ with the same warm purpose.
Are you a puddle or a pipeline? A puddle just sits there collectin’ whatever falls into it. Before long it gets mighty stagnant, smelly, and attracts all them ol’ critters that oughta stay far away. A pipeline, on the other hand, stays fresh because what flows in flows right back out. Jesus said in John 7:37–38, “If anyone’s thirsty, they can come to Him and drink, and out of their heart will flow rivers of living water.” That’s the Holy Spirit turnin’ us from puddles into pipelines, from stagnant to streamin’, from holdin’ tight to pourin’ out.
God’s blessin’s were never meant to sit and git real sour. From the beginnin’ He told His people they’d be blessed so they could bless others. Think about what He’s given you. Time. Resources. Opportunities. Are they collectin’ like muddy puddles behind the barn, or are they flowin’ like fresh creek water tumblin’ over smooth stones? The healthiest Christian life is one marked by both receivin’ and releasin’. When you bless others, God keeps plum the pipeline full. Randy Alcorn said it right: “God prospers us not to raise our standard of livin’, but to raise our standard of givin’.”
Father, make me a pipeline, not a puddle. Let Your blessings flow through me instead of stoppin’ with me. Keep my heart generous, my hands open, and my spirit ready to pour out whatever You’ve poured in. Teach me to give freely, cheerfully, and faithfully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ok then, friend, as you move on into the doin’s of your day, let your generosity flow like a creek after a summer rain, splashin’ life everywhere it goes. Let your kindness spread quicker than a squirrel chasin’ acorns across the yard. Let your givin’ shine steady like a lantern hangin’ on this ol’ front porch, guidin’ folks toward hope. And walk forward knowin’ that every blessing you release makes room for God to fill you right back up again.
Alright then, friend, as you move on from this place and on into the doin’s of your day, carry generosity the way a creek carries cool mountain water, steady and full of purpose. Kindness travels fast, quicker than a lil’ ol’ rabbit scootin’ through a patch of clover, so keep it real close as you go. Givin’ shines mighty bright, warm as a bright lantern glowin’ in a cabin window on a crisp evenin’, and folks notice that glow more than you think. And as you move forward, hold real tight to this truth. Every sweet blessin’ you pass along makes room for God to pour somethin’ richer, deeper, and stronger right back into your life.
With joy,
Gwen
