I’ve always loved Psalm 112. In many ways, it is to a man what Proverbs 31 is to a woman. Both passages serve as God-given templates—clear pictures of the kind of person the Holy Spirit desires to shape us into.
When I read Psalm 112, I see it as a mirror reflecting what God wants me to become. Scripture tells us to be conformed to the image of Christ, and when a man or woman wants a clearer revelation of that image, these two chapters are powerful places to linger, meditate, and pray for deeper insight.
Psalm 112:9 (NLT) describes the God-fearing person this way:
“…they share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.”
This person is described as one who scatters gifts to the poor. Most often, we interpret this as giving money or material resources—and that is certainly a right and biblical application. But the meaning does not stop there.
Most people experience seasons when their ability to give financially is limited. Yet Romans 12:6 (NIV) reminds us, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” By God’s grace, every believer has been entrusted with gifts and abilities that are deeply valuable. These gifts were never meant to sit unused.
One of those gifts is mercy.
Most of us can recall moments when we’ve said or done something foolish. (As I’m writing this, I can almost hear someone saying, “Yes—like every day!”) In those moments, a conscientious person tends to beat themselves up. And often, God sends along someone with a mercy-motivated heart—someone who comes alongside us to comfort, encourage, and gently remind us of God’s forgiveness and love.
We all love mercy when we’re the one who needs it.
So why is it that when someone else says or does something foolish, mercy is often slower to show up? Why do they sometimes become the subject of discussion or gossip instead? Don’t they need mercy too?
Of course they do. We all do. That is why mercy must be scattered freely.
And here’s the beautiful truth: this gift is not reserved for a few. Mercy lives within every believer—within you—if you will allow God to draw it out. Not only is it present, it is abundant. And aside from the time it takes, it costs nothing to give.
God has deposited gifts and talents in every one of us, and they were never meant to lie dormant. Many people never discover their gifts simply because they’ve never committed themselves to anything that places a demand on them. Discovery usually follows dedication.
Some imagine a gift from God as something that appears instantly—like a person who has never played the piano suddenly sitting down and playing beautifully. That would be an anomaly. Most gifted musicians, and most gifted people in any area, discovered their gifting through practice, faithfulness, and commitment.
The same is true spiritually.
The gifts God has placed within us are meant to be scattered continually. Every time you bring your child into a children’s ministry classroom during a church service, you are benefiting from people who are scattering their gifts for the blessing of others. They serve your child so that you can be ministered to without distraction. Their gifts are being poured out freely.
So if a lack of money has become your excuse, the truth is—you don’t have one.
Each of us possesses a deep well of riches to share. Romans 12 helps us identify them. Read it. Pray over it. Ask God to draw those gifts out of you. As you begin to use them, you’ll discover that this is how gifts are revealed—and how godly character is formed.
This is how we begin to resemble the mirror image found in Proverbs 31 or Psalm 112.
Whether it’s money or resources, or whether it’s the gifts God has placed within you—give them. As you do, the love of God will touch, influence, and bless others. And quietly, steadily, a great work of godly character will be forming within you.
Romans 12:6–8 (NIV):
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
