By Brendan Manson / President of Fellowship Development / Connect with Brendan on LinkedIn
Proverbs 11:25 is a Bible verse that teaches about generosity. It’s a great one for leaders to use within their church communities, because it invites us to consider how we can provide support to others in our community. Keep reading to learn more about how the Lord wants us to model true generosity.
What Does Proverbs 11:25 Say and Mean?
Specifically, Proverbs 11:25 says:
A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
A generous person prospers. And it doesn’t stop there. The verse further says that those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. To refresh others is to bless them, and blessings can take many forms. Blessings can include sharing your time, talent and treasure, as the popular fundraising phrase goes. Proverbs 11:25 affirms for us that when we perform acts of kindness and bless others, we will be rewarded (refreshed). Though that should not be our motivation, of course. The verse shows us that generosity is a reflection of God’s character and the love He has for us.
The exact ways in which He will refresh the generous will vary, but we can tell the definition of prosperity here is not tied directly to tangible goods and wealth. To prosper is to flourish across all aspects of life. That means happiness in relationships with others, including Christ, and in all aspects of life.
The Setting Behind Proverbs 11:25
Proverbs 11:25 is widely attributed to King Solomon. Most of his writing throughout Proverbs 11 compares and contrasts what righteous and wicked behavior looks like. The verses that precede and follow this one are vivid warnings against hoarding wealth and withholding generosity. Verse 25 then stands out as wisdom amidst those examples. Generosity is shown to be the path of the wise.
The lesson for us here is that the desires of the righteous lead to good, while those who are selfish or greedy will lack. God is revealing His nature here by sharing this clear path to abundance.
In other words, Proverbs 11:25 is another verse that teaches us to trust God.
The Principle Behind “The Generous Will Prosper”
While the verse isn’t a guaranteed financial formula, the meaning of Proverbs 11:25 is still a great foundation for church fundraising campaigns. We’ve discussed it with ministry leaders across the United States in our work on church capital campaigns.
The words here in Proverbs 11 teach us that giving to others is an investment. Giving generously is like a ripple effect – one act of giving can send out waves that return to you.
We point to this verse as a promise that all who share freely will experience a return on their investment. We can take it a step further and ask ourselves – and those we lead – how we’ve seen the Holy Spirit working through our generosity. Because when we serve others, the Lord uses those moments to shape and transform us.
Understanding the Reciprocity Behind This Promise
This idea of reciprocity is present in the phrase “those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” This phrase draws on the image of water restoring the thirsty. So it is from giving that we find refreshment from the Lord.
Proverbs 11:25, along with many other verses throughout the Bible, teaches us that generosity reflects God’s character. Therefore, we should feel encouraged to have a posture of open hands and open heart, ready to both give and receive. This is done knowing He will provide for us.
At Fellowship Development, we like to say that a life centered on generosity becomes a continual flow of refreshment – what we pour out, He replenishes.
How Different Translations Render This Verse
Now, there are slight variations in Proverbs 11:25 in different Bible translations.
The New International Version (NIV) and English Standard Version (ESV) both still use the word “refreshes.” And through all wording shifts, the verse brings forth the same core message – generosity restores what may be depleted and brings life to both giver and receiver.
How This Verse Compares to Other Teachings on Generosity
It’s a message that is echoed throughout the Bible. Proverbs 11:25 reinforces the same principle Jesus teaches in Luke 6:28 – that giving is not intended to be transactional. The context of both verses cautions us not to give only in order to receive something back. True generosity reflects trust in God’s providence. Believers can give freely because they know God is faithful and generous toward them. So when we give, it becomes evidence of our heart transformed by God’s grace.
Living Out Proverbs 11:25 in Daily Life
Proverbs 11:25 is a verse that can shape our daily life in practical ways. It encourages us to reflect about our own willingness to share what we have freely with others. Here are a few practical reflection questions for a Proverbs 11:25 study:
- Am I setting aside a portion of your household income for charitable giving?
- How often do I volunteer for community service projects?
- Could I get more involved in any volunteer projects?
- What other ways could I be identifying and helping meet the needs of others around you?
The answers to these questions further reinforce the point that refreshing others can take the form of time, encouragement or financial support. From here, churches and individuals alike can apply this verse as a model for cheerful stewardship. Over time, consistent acts of generosity, however large or small, build the same pattern and way of life the verse describes. Ultimately, intentional generosity enriches all of our lives.
Conclusion: The Lasting Lesson of Proverbs 11:25
Proverbs 11:25 challenges believers to see “refreshing” or giving to others as its own reward. When we pour into others, God allows us to share in that blessing. Being generous brings God’s abundance back into our own lives.
So the question for us ministry leaders is this: how will we bring this lesson to others?
KEEP READING
Wondering what Scripture actually requires?
Tithing, generosity and what the New Testament does and does not command.
Leading a church with a capital project to fund?
How capital campaigns work, what they cost and how churches plan them.
Ready to talk through a specific fundraising project? Contact Fellowship Development
FAQs
Q1. Who Wrote the Book of Proverbs?
Most of Proverbs was written by King Solomon. His writing consistently emphasizes reverence for and dependence upon God.
Q2. Is Proverbs 11:25 Connected to the Parable of the Talents?
The Parable of the Talents comes from Matthew 25:14-30. The two passages share a common theme around using your resources to faithfully and joyfully serve others. Just as in Proverbs 11:25, the Parable of the Talents shows that faithful stewardship leads to increase.
Q3. What Does “Prosper” Mean in the Context of This Verse?
In Proverbs 11:25, “prosper” is not directly tied to material wealth. God will provide for us in many ways including spiritually, relationally and physically.
Q4. Is Proverbs 11:25 Quoted Anywhere Else in the Bible?
The core message about generosity taught by Proverbs 11:25 is similar to themes elsewhere in Scripture. Many passages contain the teaching that giving freely leads to blessing.
Sources
Bible Hub. 2016. “Proverbs 11 – Dishonest Scales.” https://biblehub.com/proverbs/11.htm.
Biblehub.Com. 2019. “Proverbs 11:25 A Generous Soul Will Prosper, and He Who Refreshes Others Will Himself Be Refreshed..” https://biblehub.com/proverbs/11-25.htm.
Biblehub.Com. 2025. “Proverbs 11:25 ESV: Whoever Brings Blessing Will Be Enriched, and One Who Waters Will Himself Be Watered..” https://biblehub.com/esv/proverbs/11-25.htm.
Deeney, Sarah. 2026a. “25 Bible Verses About Giving (and What They Mean for Your Church).” Fellowship Development, May 29. https://www.fellowshipdevelopment.com/blog/bible-verses-about-giving/.
Deeney, Sarah. 2026b. “Luke 6:38 Meaning: Give, and It Will Be Given to You.” Fellowship Development, June 22. https://www.fellowshipdevelopment.com/blog/luke-6-38-meaning/.
Fellowship Development. 2025. “Christian Church Capital Campaign | Fellowship Development.” July 17. https://www.fellowshipdevelopment.com/campaigns/churches/.
Norton, Brian. 2026. “Matthew 25:14-30 Meaning: The Parable of the Talents Explained.” Fellowship Development, June 30. https://www.fellowshipdevelopment.com/blog/matthew-25-14-30-meaning/.
