Yet her profit and her earnings will be set apart for the Lord; they will not be stored up or hoarded. Her profits will go to those who live before the Lord, for abundant food and fine clothes. Isaiah 23:18
God’s blessings are never intended to be stored up or hoarded. God is generous. He provides us with abundant grace (Romans 5:17), he freely pardons (Isaiah 55:7), he lavishes us with love (1 John 3:1). His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). His love and grace are never in short supply. Unlike the people of the world who store up and hoard their wealth because they live in fear of unexpected disasters or unforeseen tragedy. They look for security in their possessions. God’s people can afford to be generous because their trust is in God who is never surprised by the future. He knows how to protect and provide for his people.
This verse tells us that God’s blessing may even extend to abundant food and fine clothes! God isn’t poor and his people, in Western society, discredit him if we portray ourselves as poor. We’re greatly blessed, including financially. What we call a lack of money is often choices about our monetary priorities.
Many will tell you they cannot afford a night out, a ticket to the theatre, or maybe a holiday, but certainly they have enough money to have their TV fixed, own a pet, or buy their lunch. We present a picture of shortage when we say, “I can’t afford to.” Perhaps it would be more honest to say, “it isn’t a priority for me right now.”
Those outside God’s family store up and hoard but God’s people can afford to be generous and share, thereby reflecting God’s generosity.
