Proverbs 11:24

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

Proverbs 11:24 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
English Standard Version (ESV)
24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
New Living Translation (NLT)
24 Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.
The Message Bible (MSG)
24 The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.
American Standard Version (ASV)
24 There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but [it tendeth] only to want.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
24 One person spends freely and yet grows richer, while another holds back what he owes and yet grows poorer.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
24 One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
24 Some give freely but get even richer. Others don't give what they should but get even poorer.

Proverbs 11:24 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 11:24

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth
That scattereth "his own", as the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions add: that disperses his money here and there, among many poor objects, plentifully and liberally; and his substance is so far from being lessened by such a conduct, that, by the blessing of God, it is increased more and more; or "become richer", as the Vulgate Latin; see ( Psalms 112:9 ) . So he that disperses and dispenses the word of God, and spreads the truths of the Gospel, and freely and fully preaches them, increases himself in spiritual knowledge and understanding; and [there is] that withholdeth more than is meet;
or, "right" or "just" F1, by the, laws of God and men; from himself, from his family, from his friends and relations, and from the poor of the church and of the world; and from the cause and interest of Christ, and what is necessary to support that, according to his ability; but [it tendeth] to poverty,
or "want" F2: such a man is often brought to beggary; there is a moth and rottenness sent into his substance, which secretly consume it: so he that withholds any truth or doctrine, that keeps back anything that may be profitable to the saints; this tends to the impoverishing: of his soul, and the souls of them that attend on his ministry.


FOOTNOTES:

F1 (rvym) "plus aequo", Vatablus, Mercerus, Gejerus; "plus quam aequum est", Cocceius; "prae quam rectum est, seu plus aequo", Michaelis.
F2 (rwoxml) "ad egestatem". Junius & Tremellius, Picator; "ad penuriam", Cocceius; "ad rasam egestatem", Schultens.

Proverbs 11:24 In-Context

22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.
24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
26 People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.
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