¶ There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and [there is] that withholdeth more than is meet, but [it tendeth] to poverty.
There is {H3426} that scattereth {H6340}, and yet increaseth {H3254}; and there is that withholdeth {H2820} more than is meet {H3476}, but it tendeth to poverty {H4270}.
Some give freely and still get richer, while others are stingy but grow still poorer.
One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth only to want.
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Proverbs 19:17
¶ He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. -
Luke 6:38
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. -
Deuteronomy 15:10
Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. -
Psalms 112:9
He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. -
Ecclesiastes 11:6
In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both [shall be] alike good. -
Haggai 1:9
Ye looked for much, and, lo, [it came] to little; and when ye brought [it] home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that [is] waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. -
Haggai 1:11
And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon [that] which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.
Proverbs 11:24 (KJV)
"¶ There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and [there is] that withholdeth more than is meet, but [it tendeth] to poverty."
This proverb presents a striking paradox about giving and receiving. It contrasts two types of people: one who gives generously ("scattereth") and surprisingly becomes richer, and another who holds back excessively ("withholdeth more than is meet") and ends up poor.
The imagery of "scattering" likely draws from agricultural practices, where a farmer scatters seed liberally over the field, trusting that this act of giving away will result in a future harvest and increase. In the context of wisdom literature like Proverbs, this extends beyond just farming to encompass generosity in resources, kindness, and even effort.
The key theme here is the unexpected nature of true prosperity. Worldly wisdom often dictates hoarding and protecting resources to increase wealth. However, this proverb teaches a divine principle: generosity, motivated by trust and perhaps directed towards the needy or God's work, can lead to unexpected increase, while stinginess, driven by fear or greed, can ironically lead to lack.
The phrase "more than is meet" implies withholding beyond what is reasonable or right – perhaps failing to meet obligations, help the poor, or honor God with one's substance. Such excessive caution or selfishness "tendeth to poverty," suggesting a spiritual, relational, or even literal decline.
This principle is echoed elsewhere in scripture, connecting generosity with blessing and withholding with negative consequences. See related verses like 2 Corinthians 9:6 ("He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.") or Luke 6:38 ("Give, and it shall be given unto you...").
Practically, this verse challenges us to examine our attitude towards giving. Is it marked by trust and generosity, or by fear and stinginess? It suggests that true security and increase may be found not in clinging tightly to what we have, but in releasing it generously as wisdom and conscience direct.