Proverbs 11:24 Meaning and Explanation
“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Generosity can multiply resources; stinginess leads to poverty.
The Context of Proverbs 11:24
The counterintuitive rewards of generosity and the costs of stinginess.
What Does Proverbs 11:24 Mean?
Paradoxically, the one who scatters—gives away, shares generously—increases. This is not magic but a pattern: generosity creates goodwill, builds relationships, and brings divine blessing. Resources flow toward the generous.
Conversely, the miser who withholds more than is necessary—hoarding beyond what he needs—tends toward poverty. By refusing to give, he cuts off the flow of blessing; his isolated wealth erodes, and he ends up with less than if he had been generous.
Proverbs 11:24 in the Original Language
mefiz (מְפִיז), 'scattereth' — literally 'disperses' or 'distributes,' referring to generous sharing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 11:24
What does Proverbs 11:24 mean?
Generosity can multiply resources; stinginess leads to poverty.
What is the context of Proverbs 11:24?
The counterintuitive rewards of generosity and the costs of stinginess.