The Good Root

UV 1232/10,000 The Good Root

But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.
Isaiah 32 v 8

A noble person plans noble things and by noble actions he stands. St Paul exhorts us to think of what is wise, noble, beautiful, good, praiseworthy, helpful and positive. The alignment of our noble thoughts, intentions, plans, words and actions is what makes our lives powerful and influential. We will be like arrows and signboards pointing to God who alone is absolutely noble and praiseworthy. The wholesome fear of God along with confidence in Him induces nobility as well as freedom in every thought, word and action of the believer. A noble person is both liberal and generous. Boaz for example asked his servants to be liberal and leave enough grain for those who came to glean like Ruth to collect and satisfy their need. He also instructed them not to harm or molest her. Not so are the wicked who devises evil schemes to destroy the poor with the deception of lies and false hope, who are intrinsically greedy, lustful and unjust. Such a person speaks folly and his mind is busy with evil. He practices ungodliness and spreads untruths regarding God. He deprives the hungry and makes no attempt to help the needy.

A noble person extends help to the poor and needy. He will be like a shelter from the harsher elements of nature, a refuge from the storms of life. He will be like streams of refreshing water in the desert and like a rock of shelter in a sun-scorched land. A noble person is the reflection of God on earth like our image is reflected on the surface of the water of a clear stream or lake. Only if our thoughts, words and actions are clear and pure can we reflect that image of God in our lives. We are to take our thoughts beyond the level of mere good intention to make it practical and useful to the needy around us. We need to be focused, determined and disciplined in order to achieve the aims and goals set for us.
He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly or in other words, he will have little to spare for others. But the Word says, “He who sows bountifully will reap bountifully” or plentifully with plenty to spare. God’s grace can cause what we have to abound. We are called to abound in all things, both the internal and the external and to sow beside many waters. By generousity, liberality and nobility a godly man will stand out like a willow by the river, both blessed and a blessing. It is the good, deep and strong root of faith that produces a life of lasting nobility. God’s grace that will make us abound will also establish us.
Prateep V Philip