Proverbs 11:24-25

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:24

Note, 1. It is possible a man may grow rich by prudently spending what he has, may scatter in works of piety, charity, and generosity, and yet may increase; nay, by that means may increase, as the corn is increased by being sown. By cheerfully using what we have our spirits are exhilarated, and so fitted for the business we have to do, by minding which closely what we have is increased; it gains a reputation which contributes to the increase. But it is especially to be ascribed to God; he... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:25

So backward we are to works of charity, and so ready to think that giving undoes us, that we need to have it very much pressed upon us how much it is for our own advantage to do good to others, as before, Prov. 11:17. 1. We shall have the comfort of it in our own bosoms: The liberal soul, the soul of blessing, that prays for the afflicted and provides for them, that scatters blessings with gracious lips and generous hands, that soul shall be made fat with true pleasure and enriched with more... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:24

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth ,.... That scattereth "his own", as the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions add: that disperses his money here and there, among many poor objects, plentifully and liberally; and his substance is so far from being lessened by such a conduct, that, by the blessing of God, it is increased more and more; or "become richer", as the Vulgate Latin; see Psalm 112:9 . So he that disperses and dispenses the word of God, and spreads the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:25

The liberal soul shall be made fat ,.... Or, "the soul of blessing" F3 נפש ברכה "anima benedictionis", Montanus, Baynus, Cocceius, Michaelis; "anima benedictioni dedita", Schultens. : that is, as the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "the soul which blesseth"; not that merely prays for a blessing upon others, and wishes them well, and gives them good words; but bestows blessings on them, gives good things unto them liberally, cheerfully, and plentifully; and so is a blessing to the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 11:24

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth - The bountiful man, who gives to the poor, never turning away his face from any one in distress, the Lord blesses his property and the bread is multiplied in his hand. To the same purpose the following verse. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 11:25

The liberal soul shall be made fat - He who gives to the distressed, in the true spirit of charity, shall get a hundred fold from God's mercy. How wonderful is the Lord! He gives the property, gives the heart to use it aright, and recompenses the man for the deed though all the fruit was found from himself! He that watereth - A man who distributes in the right spirit gets more good himself than the poor man does who receives the bounty. Thus it is more blessed to give than to receive. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 11:3-31

The pricelessness of integrity We have here a view of the exceeding worth of moral integrity, or of righteousness; we see what, in the judgment of the wise, it will do for its possessor. It will— I. DIRECT HIS WAY . "The integrity of the upright shall guide them; …the righteousness of the perfect [ i.e. the upright] shall direct his way" ( Proverbs 11:3-5 ). And we read. ( Proverbs 10:9 ) that "he that walketh uprightly walketh surely." The man who honestly and earnestly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 11:24

There is that scattereth; that giveth liberally, as Psalms 112:1-10 :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;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 11:24

Meanness The Book of Proverbs is sometimes accused of taking too low and worldly a view of conduct, and of giving undue importance to prudential, self-regarding duties. Whatever truth there may be in these charges—and no doubt the New Testament does describe so pure and lofty an ideal of life as to leave the morals of Solomon and his compeers in a decidedly inferior rank—gives only the greater emphasis to those maxims of broad and noble character which are so clear and imperative as to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 11:24-26

The narrow and the large heart I. THRIFTY SPENDING . All wise outlay of money is a form of thrift, The increase of capital depends upon the observance of certain laws and rules of prudence; and the prudence which enables to amass enables also to spend. Spending in works of benevolence is seldom known to impoverish a man, for it is seldom disjoined from calculation and economy in personal habits. But whether we can trace out the manner of the connection in every instance or not, it is... read more

Group of Brands