Psalm 112 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 112 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord, who greatly delight in his commandments.
Verse 2Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Verse 3Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.
Verse 4They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
Verse 5It is well with those who deal generously and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice.
Verse 6For the righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered forever.
Verse 7They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.
Verse 8Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
Verse 9They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor; their righteousness endures forever; their horn is exalted in honor.
Verse 10The wicked see it and are angry; they gnash their teeth and melt away; the desire of the wicked comes to nothing.
Devotion
How does one develop a spirit of generosity, especially in the context of our materialistic culture?
There’s no question it’s tempting to think of money as our source of happiness, security or self-worth. Long before the lures of Madison Avenue, Scripture was concerned about a healthy relationship with money. Psalm 112 proclaims that “it is well with those who deal generously … (who) have distributed freely (and) given to the poor … ” In her book, Wealth as Peril and Obligation, Biblical scholar Sondra Wheeler notes that Scripture asks us to examine our relationship with money from at least three viewpoints. First, does our means of making money serve the common good? Second, do we relate to our money as though it is our primary source of security or self-worth? Third, do we spend our money in love of God and neighbor?
As Christians, our conversations about generosity begin with God’s unconditional love and eternal promise. These things free us to live generously and joyfully.
Prayer
Generous Creator, guide my relationship with money, that I might keep it in perspective to all you have given me. Amen.