"One Person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty." Proverbs 11:24
When we think of the word "Stingy" we always relate it to how a person spends his money. Even while reading the scripture, we assume or think about the materialistic ways of give and take. But, here its about the generosity, love, care. How generous are you to praise someone's good quality? Are you stingy in showing your care for a family member, who cares a lot about you; are you with holding the love and care for that person who makes every effort to be in touch with you. Are you stingy in showing your affection? May be you had a rough past years, may be you are going through loneliness, may be you don't want anyone, may be you are struggling at your work place, may be you trying very hard to keep your marriage. No matter what it takes, similar kind of situations may be in other persons life, who is putting an effort to talk to you, praise you, "says you are wonderful, amazing" are you stingy and keeping those appreciations yourself and not generous enough to reciprocate similar kind of words or not similar at least a small effort to make them feel that you care.
If the person who is not appreciative, not kind and they back stab you; if that person is not your family, by all means move on. But, if you are talking about a parent, a sibling or a family member things are quiet different. God asks us to do the hard things because doing hard things keeps us from becoming a stingy person. The world tells us to give up. God tells us to persevere. Whether the other person changes or not, we can show our love for God by our actions and refine our faith.
We have to make that minimum effort to develop our relationship with each other, you may say I am happy alone, i don't need anyone to keep me going. Right. You have your choices to make. But, a time comes when you will need your family, no one comes to your rescue except your family. Your sugar coating speaking friends wont come when you are in trouble, I agree, you might say I have my God on my side, God is always with us. But, as you invest your time and effort on your close family relationships, they grew more loving, more real and our life looks richer even when your bank account may say otherwise.
Generosity makes us richer in character and love. Stinginess makes us small, poor and selfish. Just reflect on your life today, Are there areas of your life where you are emotionally stingy?
Give and Gain, Keep and Lose.
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