But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.
The liberal devising liberal things means the generous, liberal person forms generous and upright plans, purposes and deeds, and by those liberal things is upheld, sustained and kept standing upon them as his ground. This generous planning stands opposite the selfish and harmful schemes of the vile person and the churl set forth in the surrounding verses. Giving to relieve the needy and to advance God's cause blesses others while it develops benevolence in the giver himself and brings him true riches.
Narrow ideas and narrow plans produce narrow results, while enlarged faith in God opens the heart to generosity, and appeals to duty can awaken men to give in ways they otherwise would not. The generous soul lives by generous conduct, for God deals generously with those who serve Him generously with their time and who work faithfully, sincerely, willingly and with integrity. Such service honors God and He honors those who honor Him, while negligent and insincere service is repaid in kind.
The promise to those who honor God with their possessions still holds, so faithful obedience in giving brings its promised blessing. Generous scattering leads to increase, while undue withholding leads to poverty. Loyalty to God in return for His goodness and mercy is proved by bringing all the tithes into His storehouse, whereas disregarding His plain claims leaves men to follow their own way and reap its result, and turning to one's own use what He has reserved proves unfaithful stewardship that loses both what was withheld from God and what had been entrusted as one's own. The verse calls for liberal planning for the Health Home, not cutting back its rooms merely to save money, because the full building is needed to serve as a place of care and rest.
The liberal devising liberal things means the generous, liberal person forms generous and upright plans, purposes and deeds, and by those liberal things is upheld, sustained and kept standing upon them as his ground. This generous planning stands opposite the selfish and harmful schemes of the vile person and the churl set forth in the surrounding verses. Giving to relieve the needy and to advance God's cause blesses others while it develops benevolence in the giver himself and brings him true riches.
Narrow ideas and narrow plans produce narrow results, while enlarged faith in God opens the heart to generosity, and appeals to duty can awaken men to give in ways they otherwise would not. The generous soul lives by generous conduct, for God deals generously with those who serve Him generously with their time and who work faithfully, sincerely, willingly and with integrity. Such service honors God and He honors those who honor Him, while negligent and insincere service is repaid in kind.
The promise to those who honor God with their possessions still holds, so faithful obedience in giving brings its promised blessing. Generous scattering leads to increase, while undue withholding leads to poverty. Loyalty to God in return for His goodness and mercy is proved by bringing all the tithes into His storehouse, whereas disregarding His plain claims leaves men to follow their own way and reap its result, and turning to one's own use what He has reserved proves unfaithful stewardship that loses both what was withheld from God and what had been entrusted as one's own. The verse calls for liberal planning for the Health Home, not cutting back its rooms merely to save money, because the full building is needed to serve as a place of care and rest.