The Stewardship of Hoarding

(Proverbs 11:26 KJV)  He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

Americans are an affluent people.  In fact, most people in the West live very well.  Our “poor” are the envy of the third world.  This is an instruction on how we are to manage our wealth.  This could be targeted on a group that used to be small but now has become large.  Think of the speculator and the hoarder.  This group “withholds” (4513) what people need, in this case “grain” (1250). 

I think of how this could apply to me at school.  At times we run short of paper and are limited in our freedom to make copies.  To my knowledge there has been no world wide shortage of paper and, in reality, I could afford to buy paper if I wanted to.  But the school supplies are sparse.  I find myself taking paper as often as it is offered or available and hiding it so no one can find it, or even know I have it.  I become a hoarder of sorts.  To be fair I am willing to share with new teachers that come up short, but the attitude of hoarding sets in.

I can’t sell my hoarded supplies, even at a reasonable price.  I can share.  This is about people with plenty acting in a generous and fair way with people in genuine need.

So?  Check your drawers and closets.  Are you hoarding or just being a good steward?