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policy of generosity

1 Samuel 30:18-31 (JDV)

1 Samuel 30:18 David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken; he also rescued his two wives.
1 Samuel 30:19 Nothing of theirs was missing from the youngest to the oldest, including the sons and daughters, and all the plunder the Amalekites had taken. David got everything back.
1 Samuel 30:20 He took all the flocks and herds, which were driven ahead of the other livestock, and the people shouted, “This is David’s plunder!”
1 Samuel 30:21 When David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to go with him and had been left at the Wadi Besor, they came out to meet him and to meet the troops with him. When David approached the men, he greeted them,
1 Samuel 30:22 but all the corrupt and worthless men among those who had gone with David argued, “Because they didn’t go with us, we will not give any of the plunder we recovered to them except for each man’s wife and children. They may take them and go.”
1 Samuel 30:23 But David said, “My brothers, you must not do this with what Yahveh has given us. He protected us and handed over to us the raiders who came against us.
1 Samuel 30:24 Who can agree to your proposal? The share of the one who goes into battle is to be the same as the share of the one who remains with the supplies. They will share equally.”
1 Samuel 30:25 And it has been so from that day forward. David established this policy as a law and an ordinance for Israel and it continues today.
1 Samuel 30:26 When David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to his friends, the elders of Judah, saying, “Notice a gift for you from the plunder of Yahveh’s enemies.”
1 Samuel 30:27 He sent gifts to those in Bethel, in Ramoth of the Negev, and in Jattir;
1 Samuel 30:28 to those in Aroer, in Siphmoth, and in Eshtemoa;
1 Samuel 30:29 to those in Racal, in the towns of the Jerahmeelites, and in the towns of the Kenites;
1 Samuel 30:30 to those in Hormah, in Bor-ashan, and in Athach;
1 Samuel 30:31 to those in Hebron, and to those in all the places where David and his men had roamed.

policy of generosity

David’s decision to share the proceeds of his victory against the Amalekites turned into a policy of generosity. We should try to adopt a similar policy. When we are blessed beyond our need, we should try to share the blessing with others.