The Righteous Man

In Psalm 37, we get a glimpse into one who is called the Righteous Man. And he is contrasted throughout this psalm with the wicked. It's an interesting passage because, as the author describes righteousness, there are some characteristics of righteousness that we might not think of ourselves.

And here is one in particular:

“25 I have been young, and now am old,

yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken

or his children begging for bread.

26 He is ever lending generously,

and his children become a blessing.”

(Psalm 37:25-26)

"Ever lending generously." There is something quite remarkable about this fairly unremarkable phrase. "Ever" lending tells us for the righteous, this way of living is consistent. It wasn't a one-time choice or an every-so-often kind of thing. He is ever lending.

And he doesn't just lend, but he lends generously. He is not frustratingly, angrily, or passive-aggressively lending; he lends generously. His heart is involved in it; it's done with a generous spirit. And with his heart of generosity, he reflects his God of generosity.

The goal of the righteous man's life is not that he be blessed but that others be blessed by him, in this context, particularly his kids. His goal is to bless others from the blessings bestowed upon him.

And so, church, let us walk in the pathway of the righteous man. May Emmaus Church be known for being a people with hearts full of generosity. May we be people marked by the consistent dispensing of our goods for the good of those around us. May we be a people ever lending generously.