Psalm 37:21-26 (CB)

21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; 22 those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be destroyed. 23 The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; 24 though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. 25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. 26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.

PARADOXES The faithful don’t see their money as their own but give and lend freely in order to bring about blessing (v26), trusting God to provide for them (v25). While David had never seen believers’ children impoverished, (Hab 3:17–19) famously tells us that even when we fall into poverty God is with us and is our true wealth. We may be “struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor4:9). We may “stumble”—may sin or fail or suffer calamity—but God won’t let us go into free fall (v 24). He will use these troubles, if we trust him, to turn us into something great and beautiful (2 Cor4:17).

Prayer: Lord, it is difficult for me to trust in your provision for me enough to be radically generous with my money. But if Jesus had been as grudging with his life and blood as I am with my money, then where would I be? Make me a joyful giver. Amen.