Proverbs 11:24
“There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains only poverty.”
The book of Proverbs is a collection of ancient wisdom sayings, attributed largely to King Solomon, offering practical advice for living wisely and ethically. This particular proverb speaks to the consequences of generosity versus stinginess, often in material terms, within the community life of ancient Israel.
What might it mean for individuals or communities today to 'scatter' or 'withhold' in ways that unexpectedly lead to abundance or scarcity?