Proverbs, chapters 10-15 is full of verses contrasting evil and good, wise and foolish people, the rich and the poor, the merciful and the cruel, and so forth. I encourage you to read these chapters and meditate upon these contrasting themes. Let’s read Proverbs 11:25-27, “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.”

In these verses, we see the contrast of one that is generous and seeks the good of others, contrasted with one that is selfish, seeking only his own good. In these three verses we see those who are generous, those who are fair, and those who seek to benefit others contrasted with those who are stingy and those who seek to hurt others.

“The liberal soul shall be made fat” shows that the generous ones shall prosper.

“He that watereth shall be watered also himself.” The thought is that the one who waters the garden of others will have his own garden watered.

“He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him” speaks of one who keeps his corn until a famine so that he can raise his price and gain a selfish profit.

“But blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it” speaks of the gratitude of the ones that can buy from the farmer at a fair price.

“He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour.” Someone who seeks to benefit others finds favor with both God and man.

“But he that seeketh mischief, it shall come to him.” Trying to hurt others has a sort of a ‘boomerang’ effect. We read in Psalm 7:15-16, “He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.”

In the light of this, let’s consider Philippians 2:3 which says, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” As believers on the Lord Jesus, we should humble ourselves and put the needs of others above our own needs. When we all do that, we will learn that as we seek to meet the needs of others, others will also seek to meet our needs. This is the beauty of the body of Christ. Instead of every man looking out for himself, as a body, each part is looking out for the needs of the other. Romans 12:10 tells us, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.”

To live such a lifestyle is only possible for those who have been saved and have a new nature, and walk in the power of the Spirit of God. To be totally forgetful of self, and put the welfare of others above our own needs is the manifestation of the humility of Christ in our lives. We read in 1 Peter 5:5, “…all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”

Let’s conclude with the inspired words of Amos 5:14, “Seek good, and not evil…” (172.2)