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Have you ever stopped to think about how much the little things you do every day really matter? This week, as I was studying Proverbs 11, I was reminded again that in God’s Kingdom, nothing is wasted. Our choices—whether we scatter kindness, encouragement, or resources—carry weight, not just in the moment, but for eternity.
Proverbs 11 paints a clear picture of the difference between the righteous and the wicked, and it’s a reminder that how we live matters. Verses 24–27 especially stood out to me:
“The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered. He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who seeks evil, evil will come to him.” (NASB)
The Kingdom Works Differently
In the world’s system, we’re told to gather as much as we can, hold it tight, and keep it for ourselves. But Proverbs 11 reminds us that God’s Kingdom works differently. Instead of hoarding, we are called to scatter—to sow seeds of generosity and trust that God will bring the harvest.
I love the picture of a sower, carefully reaching into his bag of seed and scattering it across the field. He’s not wasting. He’s planting. He trusts that what leaves his hand will one day return as a harvest.
And that’s how it works in our lives too. When we scatter encouragement, kindness, wisdom, or even simple acts of service, it may feel small—but in God’s Kingdom, it matters.
A Story from the Coffee Shop
Not long ago, I experienced this firsthand. A woman came into my coffee shop and noticed my books at the counter. She told me she had been struggling to get her own book of poems published and just needed someone to point her in the right direction.
I sat down, opened my laptop, and shared some of what I had learned while self-publishing my own books. It wasn’t much—just 15 minutes of sharing resources and encouragement—but it meant the world to her.
Later, as I reread Proverbs 11, I realized that was God showing me in real time what it means to scatter. I gave out of what I had, and He reminded me that even a small act of generosity can refresh someone else.
What You Scatter Will Come Back
Verse 25 says: “The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.” When we pour out encouragement, we ourselves are refreshed. When we scatter joy, we reap joy. When we share hope, we are filled with hope in return.
It doesn’t mean life will be easy or that generosity guarantees worldly wealth. But it does mean that in God’s economy, generosity is never wasted. He sees what we scatter, and He promises to take care of us.
Choosing Gratitude and Generosity
This week, I’ve had to make a choice: stay on the negativity train or intentionally look for the good. Proverbs 11:27 says, “He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who seeks evil, evil will come to him.” We find what we’re looking for. If we seek good, we’ll see more of it. If we scatter gratitude, joy, and encouragement, we’ll reap those things too.
I don’t know about you, but I want to be the kind of person people love to be around—not because I have it all together, but because when they’re with me, they feel encouraged, uplifted, and filled with hope. That’s what Jesus does for us, and I want my life to reflect Him.
A Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for the wisdom in Proverbs 11. Teach us to be generous sowers, not hoarders. Help us scatter seeds of joy, encouragement, and hope, trusting You to bring the harvest. May our lives reflect Jesus in such a way that others are refreshed, blessed, and drawn closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
© Audrey McCracken Creatives LLC, 2025
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