Proverbs 11:25

Commentary Proverbs 11:25

Text (NKJV):
“The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself.” — Proverbs 11:25

1. Context within Proverbs 11

Proverbs 11[i] is a chapter contrasting righteousness and wickedness, generosity and greed, integrity and deceit. It highlights the moral order established by God, where righteousness leads to life and blessing, while wickedness leads to destruction.

Verse 25 sits within a section (verses 23–31) that emphasises the fruit of righteousness and the consequences of sin. The chapter repeatedly shows that God’s providence ensures that generosity and righteousness are not wasted but rewarded.

2. Exegesis of Proverbs 11:25

• “The generous soul will be made rich”
  • The Hebrew phrase literally means “the soul of blessing” or “the one who blesses.” It conveys the idea of a person whose life is marked by generosity and kindness.
  • Richness here is not merely material wealth but fullness of life, spiritual vitality, and God’s favour. It reflects the principle that generosity enlarges the heart and aligns the believer with God’s own character.
• “He who waters will also be watered himself”
  • The imagery of watering suggests refreshment, encouragement, and life-giving action. Just as water sustains growth, so acts of kindness sustain and strengthen others.
  • The promise is reciprocal: those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. This reflects God’s providential justice, where blessing flows back to the giver.

3. Theological Insights

• God’s providence and moral order
  • Proverbs 11 teaches that God has woven moral cause and effect into creation. Generosity leads to blessing because it reflects God’s own nature.
• Christological fulfilment
  • Jesus embodies this principle in His teaching: “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over…” (Luke 6:38).
  • The ultimate example of “watering” is Christ Himself, who gave His life as living water (John 4:14; 7:37–38).
• Christian emphasis
  • Generosity is not a meritorious work earning salvation but the fruit of a transformed heart. It flows from justification by faith and the sanctifying work of the Spirit.
  • The believer’s generosity is evidence of union with Christ, who is Himself the source of all blessing.

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4. Application to Modern Christian Living

• Generosity in daily life
  • In an Australian context, generosity may mean sharing time, resources, and hospitality. It is not limited to financial giving but includes encouragement, mentoring, and practical help.
• Resisting consumerism
  • Proverbs 11 challenges the modern idol of materialism. True richness is not found in possessions but in a life marked by generosity and service.
• Community impact
  • Churches that embody generosity become places of refreshment. A congregation that “waters” others through mission, care, and hospitality will itself be strengthened.
• Personal reflection
  • Christians are called to examine whether their lives are marked by blessing others. The promise of reciprocal refreshment encourages believers to trust God’s providence rather than hoard resources.

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5. Meditation Guide

• Read Proverbs 11:25 slowly.
• Reflect: Who in your life needs “watering” today?
• Pray: Ask God to give you a generous spirit that reflects His own generosity in Christ.
• Act: Identify one practical way to bless someone this week—through words, time, or resources.
• Rest: Trust that God Himself will refresh you as you refresh others.

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[i] Proverbs 11

New King James Version

The Folly of Wickedness

11 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord,
But a just weight is His delight.

2 When pride comes, then comes shame;
But with the humble is wisdom.

3 The integrity of the upright will guide them,
But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
But righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright,
But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,
But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.

7 When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish,
And the hope of the unjust perishes.
8 The righteous is delivered from trouble,
And it comes to the wicked instead.
9 The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor,
But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;
And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted,
But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor,
But a man of understanding holds his peace.

13 A talebearer reveals secrets,
But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

15 He who is surety for a stranger will suffer,
But one who hates being surety is secure.

16 A gracious woman retains honor,
But ruthless men retain riches.
17 The merciful man does good for his own soul,
But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
18 The wicked man does deceptive work,
But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.
19 As righteousness leads to life,
So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.
20 Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord,
But the blameless in their ways are His delight.
21 Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished;
But the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.

22 As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout,
So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good,
But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more;
And there is one who withholds more than is right,
But it leads to poverty.
25 The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself.
26 The people will curse him who withholds grain,
But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

27 He who earnestly seeks good finds favor,
But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.

28 He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous will flourish like foliage.

29 He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind,
And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who wins souls is wise.

31 If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth,
How much more the ungodly and the sinner.