The Righteous Are Generous

God's Prophets Demand Justice
Amos Rails against Injustice


Rebuked for Selfishness

Psalm 37:14-22  The Message

^14-15 Bullies brandish their swords,
    pull back on their bows with a flourish.
They’re out to beat up on the harmless,
    or mug that nice man out walking his dog.
A banana peel lands them flat on their faces—
    slapstick figures in a moral circus.

^16-17 Less is more and more is less.
    One righteous will outclass fifty wicked,
For the wicked are moral weaklings
    but the righteous are God-strong.

^18-19 God keeps track of the decent folk;
    what they do won’t soon be forgotten.
In hard times, they’ll hold their heads high;
    when the shelves are bare, they’ll be full.

²⁰ God-despisers have had it;
    God’s enemies are finished—
Stripped bare like vineyards at harvest time,
    vanished like smoke in thin air.

^21-22 Wicked borrows and never returns;
    Righteous gives and gives.
Generous gets it all in the end;
    Stingy is cut off at the pass.

For Reflection 

"...slapstick figures in a moral circus."  How many ways will you be able to use that phrase over the next few weeks?  But, I suppose that is what we are without the Holy Spirit as a guide.  Christians are encouraged to be generous, giving more than we take.

Pray

for a life of giving in response to God's love.