Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 11:25, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
American Standard Version
The liberal soul shall be made fat; And he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
World English Bible version
The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.
Proverbs 11:25 Meaning & Commentary
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. – Proverbs 11:25 (ESV)
This verse in Proverbs has giving at the center. The verse starts by saying that whoever brings blessing will be enriched. Firstly, to bring a blessing refers to the act of giving. It could be interpreted as saying, ‘Whoever gives generously will be enriched”. It does not say that whoever brings blessing will be blessed. The reason is that giving does much more than simply causing you to be blessed in return. It enriches you in every area of your life. Let’s say you are selfish and have no relationship with God. If you believe this scripture, you could give away a car to receive two cars back. This could be taken as giving (being a blessing) and then receiving (being blessed) back. Giving and generosity enrich your life way beyond just receiving material possessions back.
It is an act of obedience, brings joy into your life, helps others, gives your life significant meaning, and develops the fruit of The Spirit and the character of Christ, to name just a few. This explains why the word enriched is used. Your entire life, Spirit, Soul, and more are enriched when you choose to bless others. In the book of Corinthians, when Paul is talking about giving generously, he says that God will enrich such a person in every way – Not only in one or two ways: 2 Corinthians 9:11 – You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
The second part of Proverbs 11:25 says that he who waters will himself be watered – In scripture, this is symbolic of working and laboring in The Kingdom of God, with people: 1 Corinthians 3:6 – I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. As we give of ourselves and pour out to others, we can expect to receive the same back in return!
Application
How can we practically apply Proverbs 11:25 to our lives?
We know that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly place in Christ: Ephesians 1:3 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Since we are blessed in Christ, we must go and be a blessing to others.
As The Bible says, we have freely received and should freely give: Matthew 10:8 – Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. How do we bring a blessing or be a blessing to others? There is a multitude of different ways that we can do this. Giving financially is the most obvious way that comes to mind, but there is more than this. We can pray for the sick, speak kind words, make a meal, reach out to someone to help them, etc.
We can do many things to extend the Lord’s blessing on our lives to others. As we do this, our lives will be enriched, and we will grow in our relationship with God. There is no excuse not to be a blessing, as even the words we speak can be a blessing to others: James 3:10 – From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. When it comes to watering others, this is about building God’s people. This includes things such as encouraging someone, inviting someone to Church, teaching someone God’s Word and His principles, or helping them grow in their relationship with The Lord. As we pour our lives into other people, God will see that we are watered and receive from Him in return!
Prayer
Father God, I thank you for blessing me with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. I desire to go forth now and bless others in any possible way. Please bring people across my path whom I can bless, encourage, and strengthen. I pray for a hunger and a passion for doing Your will and showing your nature to others. Equip me to water others and help them draw closer to you. As I do this, I know that you will also cause me to grow. I pray this all in Jesus’ name. Amen!
