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Oh To Be Wise Meditations
Greed causes fighting; trusting the LORD leads to prosperity. Selfish people cause trouble, but you will live a full life if you trust the LORD. He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live. A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. LORD, I am greedy by nature and need to trust in you more to provide. I like to hoard and smother everything I own. Just as your word waters my soul daily, I need to water others daily. Not be so closed fisted but open to your calling when others need help. One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. I become poor in spirit even though I hold on to my flesh and its desires. Honor the LORD by giving him your money and the first part of all your crops. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. I want my barn to overfilled with new wine and not old wineskins I have allowed to sour my soul. I want to burst with Holy Spirit inside and have plenty to share with those around me. Greed is a monster I must not feed. I can have good things and still be free from greed. If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need. Be careful! Don't say to yourself, "Soon it will be the seventh year, and then I won't be able to get my money back." It would be horrible for you to think that way and to be so selfish that you refuse to help the poor. They are your relatives, and if you don't help them, they may ask the LORD to decide whether you have done wrong. And he will say that you are guilty. You should be happy to give the poor what they need, because then the LORD will make you successful in everything you do. There will always be some Israelites who are poor and needy. That's why I am commanding you to be generous with them.
Meditate Prov. 22:9