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.

Proverbs 11:24 nkjv

There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.

Proverbs 11:24 niv

One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

Proverbs 11:24 esv

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

Proverbs 11:24 nlt

Give freely and become more wealthy;
be stingy and lose everything.

Proverbs 11 verses

Proverbs 11 24 Meaning

Proverbs 11:24 presents a profound paradox, revealing an essential principle of divine wisdom regarding wealth and generosity. It teaches that one who gives liberally, scattering their resources generously, paradoxically finds themselves becoming even more abundant. Conversely, an individual who hoards and retains more than is ethically proper or justly due to others will ultimately experience scarcity and poverty. The verse highlights the counter-intuitive nature of God's economy, where self-giving leads to increase, and self-serving restraint leads to diminishment. It emphasizes that true prosperity is not merely about accumulation but about distribution and trusting divine provision.

Proverbs 11 24 Context

Proverbs 11 is largely characterized by antithetical parallelism, contrasting the righteous and the wicked, honesty and deceit, wisdom and foolishness, and importantly, generosity and selfishness. Verse 24 is strategically placed within a broader discussion about wealth, justice, and the consequences of one's actions and attitudes toward others. It follows verses discussing the value of righteousness, the peril of ill-gotten gain (v.18), the integrity of the upright (v.20), and precedes verses on diligent work and the destructive path of the wicked (v.27-28).

Historically, the Israelite society, like many ancient cultures, faced challenges of wealth disparity. The Law provided specific instructions for caring for the poor, gleaning, and jubilee years, counteracting tendencies toward hoarding. Proverbs reinforces these societal and ethical norms through divinely revealed wisdom, emphasizing that God's blessing follows certain behavioral patterns. This verse subtly contrasts pagan practices of accumulating and storing goods for personal security with the divine principle that true security and abundance come from benevolent action and trust in the sovereign God. It champions an ethic where material possessions are not ends in themselves but tools for generosity and channels of blessing.

Proverbs 11 24 Word analysis

• There is one who scatters,

  • one who: Implies a general truth applicable to any individual, transcending specific identities.
  • scatters (מְפַזֵּר, mefazzēr): Derived from a root meaning "to disperse," "to spread out," or "to scatter." It evokes imagery of a sower casting seeds broadly and generously, rather than frugally. This isn't reckless waste, but deliberate distribution. It speaks of a mindset of open-handedness and unreserved giving.

• yet increases more;

  • yet: Marks the paradoxical or unexpected outcome.
  • increases (וְנוֹסָף, wenosaf): Literally, "is added," or "is increased." This signifies augmentation, growing larger in amount or measure.
  • more (עוֹד, ʿōḏ): Signifies "still more," "again," emphasizing the unexpected additional abundance beyond what was initially present. The total outcome is greater than the initial state plus the perceived loss from scattering. It implies divine augmentation, a multiplication not explainable by human logic.

• And there is one who withholds more than is right,

  • one who: Again, refers to any individual exemplifying this behavior.
  • withholds (חוֹשֵׂךְ, chōśēḵ): To keep back, restrain, hold fast. This depicts a gripping, tight-fisted action, stemming from fear of loss or selfish retention. It’s the antithesis of scattering.
  • more than is right (מִן יֹשֶׁר, min yōšer): This is a crucial ethical qualifier. Yosher means "uprightness," "straightness," or "equity." It refers to that which is morally correct, just, or fair. The phrase indicates that the withholding is not merely being frugal, but rather keeping back what should, by right or justice, be shared or given. It highlights avarice, an excessive and unjust retention of resources.

• but it leads to poverty.

  • but: Introduces the contrasting and adverse consequence.
  • it leads to (אַךְ־לְמַחְסוֹר, ʾaḵ-lĕmaḥsôr): The particle ʾaḵ here can imply "surely" or "only," intensifying the inevitability. It strongly points towards the destination.
  • poverty (לְמַחְסוֹר, lĕmaḥsôr): Literally, "lack," "want," "destitution," or "need." This isn't just a reduced state, but one of privation and genuine insufficiency. This signifies an outcome of material or personal deficit.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "scatters, yet increases more": This highlights a divine paradox where releasing resources results in greater returns. It challenges conventional human wisdom that assumes giving diminishes resources, presenting God's counter-intuitive economics where generosity activates multiplication. The image connects to agricultural sowing, implying a natural yet divinely guided growth.
  • "withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty": This segment reveals the self-defeating nature of stinginess, especially when it involves injustice or excessive greed. It underscores that attempting to secure oneself by holding tightly to possessions, particularly those meant to be shared or those acquired unjustly, ultimately results in a diminishing of well-being, both materially and relationally. The "poverty" may encompass not only financial destitution but also a lack of peace, joy, or positive relationships, which are often consequences of selfishness.

Proverbs 11 24 Bonus section

The wisdom presented in Proverbs 11:24 transcends mere transactional giving; it speaks to the very heart of stewardship and reliance on God. This verse teaches against the pagan or secular notion that ultimate security lies in accumulated personal wealth. Instead, it positions God as the ultimate source of abundance, operating through principles that defy worldly logic. The "increase" mentioned is not always strictly financial but can encompass spiritual, relational, and emotional well-being, fostering a life rich in overall flourishing (Shalom). The phrase "more than is right" can also imply a refusal to fulfill obligations or debts, highlighting an act of injustice rather than simple stinginess. This reinforces that true biblical prosperity is holistic and contingent on ethical action rooted in a faithful relationship with the Lord.

Proverbs 11 24 Commentary

Proverbs 11:24 encapsulates a foundational principle of God's economy, emphasizing that genuine prosperity is intrinsically linked to open-handed generosity, not tight-fisted hoarding. It is a divine paradox that challenges human logical frameworks which prioritize accumulation for security. The act of "scattering" resources – whether material, time, or talent – reflects a heart that trusts God as the ultimate provider and views possessions as instruments for service rather than ends in themselves. This generosity, far from depleting one’s resources, paradoxically opens the channel for divine increase. It aligns with the principle that what is given out of a willing heart to God and others will be returned, often abundantly.

Conversely, the one who "withholds more than is right" exemplifies avarice and a lack of faith in God’s provision. This isn't about being prudent but about an unjust or excessive reluctance to share, driven by a self-serving mentality. Such an individual, in striving to secure their own perceived abundance by hoarding, ironically finds themselves falling into a state of want or "poverty." This outcome is not merely a punishment, but a natural consequence of disconnecting from the divine flow of blessing that operates through giving. True biblical wealth is not measured by what one holds, but by what one distributes and the resulting overflow from God's hand. This proverb encourages a lifestyle of active benevolence, assured that God honors and amplifies the generous heart.

Examples:

• A believer consistently tithing and giving offerings, experiencing surprising financial stability and opportunities.
• Someone sharing their expertise or time freely, finding new networks, deeper relationships, and expanded personal growth.
• A community member donating resources to those in need, subsequently finding support in their own times of difficulty.