"Bountiful Eye"

I've been reading through the book of Proverbs, which seems to change and adapt as I mature and experience more of life. It isn't a very long book of the Bible, but it is jam-packed full of common sense. Verses pop out that I never noticed before.

Here's one that expresses an observation of mine -

"He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed;

for he giveth of his bread to the poor."

(Proverbs 22:9, KJV)

 

First of all, the amount of grumbling in this world grates on my nerves. People complain about the weather, the government, the economy, their family, etc. (*hanging head* Yes, I've caught myself doing it too.) Greed and discontentment is huge. Children learn to covet whatever they see.

Is anyone happy just being alive?

 

It is rare to find someone who is cheerful. God tells us to be thankful in all things. We are to be content with the things that we have. With God as our Father, we are rich. Do we act like we're rich? Do we perceive ourselves as being "bountiful" and able to give of what we have to others? Or do we clutch it close greedily - like selfish monkeys?

 

I've noticed (and probably you have too) that the most generous people are the ones who know what it is like to suffer. When they have the means to share their "wealth," they willingly give it to someone who needs it more than they do. That is someone who knows the meaning of true contentment.