One gives freely, yet gains even more;This phrase highlights the paradox of generosity in God's economy. The principle of sowing and reaping is evident here, where giving leads to greater blessings. This concept is echoed in
Luke 6:38, where Jesus teaches that giving will result in receiving a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. The cultural context of ancient Israel valued community and mutual support, and this principle would have been understood as a divine promise of provision. The act of giving freely reflects God's own nature, as seen in
John 3:16, where God gave His only Son. This phrase also connects to the idea of spiritual wealth, where the giver gains not just materially but also in spiritual richness and favor with God.
another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
This part of the verse warns against the consequences of selfishness and hoarding. In the historical context, withholding what is right could refer to not paying fair wages or not providing for the needy, actions condemned in passages likeJames 5:1-5. The cultural expectation was to care for the poor and the stranger, as seen inLeviticus 19:9-10. The phrase suggests that such withholding leads to poverty, not just materially but also spiritually and relationally. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that true wealth is found in generosity and righteousness, as seen in2 Corinthians 9:6-7, where Paul encourages cheerful giving. The warning serves as a reminder that God's blessings are tied to our willingness to share with others, reflecting the selfless love of Christ.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SolomonTraditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His insights into human behavior and divine principles are reflected in this verse.
2.
Ancient IsraelThe cultural and historical context of Proverbs is rooted in ancient Israel, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction.
3.
The Generous GiverThis person represents those who give freely and generously, trusting in God's provision and experiencing abundance as a result.
4.
The WithholderThis person symbolizes those who are stingy or selfish, withholding what is rightfully due, and consequently facing poverty or lack.
5.
Divine EconomyThe principle that God's ways of rewarding and providing often defy human logic, emphasizing spiritual and moral laws over materialistic calculations.
Teaching Points
The Paradox of GenerosityGod's economy operates on principles that often seem paradoxical to human understanding. Giving freely can lead to greater gain, while withholding can result in loss.
Trust in God's ProvisionBelievers are encouraged to trust in God's provision, understanding that He rewards those who give with a pure heart and faith in His promises.
The Heart of GivingTrue generosity stems from a heart aligned with God's will, seeking to bless others rather than hoard resources for oneself.
Consequences of WithholdingWithholding what is right, whether it be resources, time, or love, can lead to spiritual and material poverty, as it reflects a lack of trust in God's sufficiency.
Living GenerouslyChristians are called to live generously, reflecting God's character and trusting that He will meet all their needs according to His riches in glory.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Proverbs 11:24?
2.How does Proverbs 11:24 illustrate the principle of generosity versus withholding?
3.What does "one gives freely" in Proverbs 11:24 teach about God's provision?
4.How can we apply Proverbs 11:24 to our financial decisions today?
5.Which New Testament teachings align with Proverbs 11:24 on generosity?
6.How does Proverbs 11:24 challenge our understanding of wealth and security?
7.How does Proverbs 11:24 challenge the concept of material wealth in Christian life?
8.What historical context influenced the writing of Proverbs 11:24?
9.How does Proverbs 11:24 align with the teachings of Jesus on generosity?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 11?
11.How should others be treated?
12.How can Paul’s assurance in 2 Corinthians 9:6 that giving generously guarantees abundant reaping be reconciled with real-world examples of generous people who experience hardship?
13.Could the historical and cultural context behind Paul’s message in 2 Corinthians 9 undermine its universal application today?
14.What does "Cast your bread upon the waters" mean?What Does Proverbs 11:24 Mean
One gives freely, yet gains even more“One gives freely, yet gains even more” (Proverbs 11:24a)
• The statement is literal: open-handed generosity brings increase because God Himself superintends the outcome. AsProverbs 19:17 says, “Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.”
• Scripture repeats the pattern: “A generous soul will prosper” (Proverbs 11:25); “Give, and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38); “Whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6).
• Giving is an act of faith, declaring that the LORD—not our balance sheet—is our provider (Proverbs 3:9-10).
• How the gain appears:
– Material provision (Malachi 3:10)
– Spiritual enrichment (“It is more blessed to give than to receive,”Acts 20:35)
– Relational favor (Philippians 4:17 speaks of “profit” credited to the giver)
– Eternal reward (Matthew 6:20)
• God multiplies whatever is placed in His hands; generosity is an invitation for Him to do so.
another withholds what is right, only to become poor“another withholds what is right, only to become poor” (Proverbs 11:24b)
• “What is right” includes tithes, offerings, fair pay, and help owed to those in need. Holding it back invites loss.
• Reinforcing texts:
– “He who hides his eyes will receive many curses” (Proverbs 28:27)
– “You are cursed with a curse… in tithes and offerings” (Malachi 3:8-9)
– “You expected much, but it amounted to little” (Haggai 1:9)
– The rich fool lost everything overnight (Luke 12:20-21)
• Forms of poverty that follow withholding:
– Material decline—closed fists shut out God’s provision.
– Spiritual barrenness—“faith… if it does not result in action, is dead” (James 2:17).
– Relational isolation—“Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor… will receive no answer” (Proverbs 21:13).
• Trust in possessions replaces trust in the Provider; sooner or later that trust collapses.
summaryProverbs 11:24 contrasts two paths. The generous person, resting in the Lord’s faithfulness, finds resources multiplied and life enriched. The tight-fisted person, protecting self-interest, ends up impoverished in wallet and soul. Because God’s Word is accurate and literal, we can live confidently by this principle: open hands invite abundance; clenched fists invite loss.
(24)
There is that scattereth--i.e., with bounteous hand (comp.
Psalm 112:9), "and yet increaseth" in wealth and blessings (comp.
Proverbs 19:17, and the old epitaph, "What we spent, we had; what we saved, we lost; what we gave, we have.")
Verse 24. -
There is thatscattereth; that giveth liberally, as
Psalm 112:99, "He hath dispersed, he hath given to the needy."
And yet increaseth; becomes only the richer in wealth and more blessed by God (comp.
Proverbs 19:17). Nutt quotes the old epitaph, "What we spent, we had; what we saved, we lost; what we gave, we have." Experience proves that no one ultimately loses who gives the tithe of his income to God (see on Proverbs 28:27). There is
that withholdeth more than is meet;i.e. is stingy where he ought to be liberal. But the expression is best taken as in the margin of the Revised Version, "that withholdeth what is justly due," either as a debt or as a proper act of generosity becoming one who desires to please God and to do his duty.
But it tendeth
topoverty. That which is thus withheld is no real benefit to him. it only inure, sos his want. Septuagint and Vulgate, "There are who, sewing what is their own, make the more; and there are who, gathering what is another's, suffer loss." Dionysius Cato, 'Distich. de Mor.,' 54:4, 1 -
"Despice divitias, si vis animo esse beatus,
Quas qui suscipiunt mendicant semper avari."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
One gives freely,מְ֭פַזֵּר(mə·p̄az·zêr)Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6340:To scatteryet gainsוְנוֹסָ֥ף(wə·nō·w·sāp̄)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3254:To add, augmenteven more;ע֑וֹד(‘ō·wḏ)Adverb
Strong's 5750:Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, moreanother withholdsוְחוֹשֵׂ֥ךְ(wə·ḥō·w·śêḵ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2820:To restrain, refrain, to refuse, spare, preserve, to observewhat is right,מִ֝יֹּ֗שֶׁר(mî·yō·šer)Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3476:Straightness, uprightnessonlyאַךְ־(’aḵ-)Adverb
Strong's 389:A particle of affirmation, surelyto become poor.לְמַחְסֽוֹר׃(lə·maḥ·sō·wr)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4270:A need, thing needed, poverty
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OT Poetry: Proverbs 11:24 There is one who scatters and increases (Prov. Pro Pr) 
