Proverbs 22: 8-16 The first of the "do's"

⁹ The generous will themselves be blessed,
    for they share their food with the poor.
¹¹ One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace
    will have the king for a friend.

¹² The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
    but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

We're still visiting a portion of Proverbs chapter 22, and this time we are in a "do" mode, instead of a "don't" one. 

Let's look at verse 9 first: How many, many times did your grandmother or your mother tell you when you were small....."the Lord loves a cheerful giver."  Mine told me a lot. I guess it was because before I was saved, it was difficult to pry those pennies out of my grubby cleaned little hand! Do you know adults that behave that way? 
This isn't just about the financial generosity you might think of at first . . . it's also about the generosity with time, with wisdom, and with talents. Everything that we have, is given to us by our Father, and it is up to us to share with others. Take a peek at Deuteronomy 15:10.  Go ahead --- I'll wait right here.

Hmmmm, "your heart shall not be grieved when you give..."  Sometimes that has been a tough one for me, for even though I strive to show loving-kindness, there has been a time or two when I just chafed at the time it took to help someone. I know that's a huge black eye on my testimony, and I've asked for forgiveness. I really watch for that now.  Give this verse some thought, and let me know what you think.