Proverbs 19:17 (ESV)

17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.

Here is a beautiful encouragement for us to be generous toward those in need. We know that all true grace comes from the Lord. Yet he honours those who not only receive such grace themselves, but who also extend grace to others, especially those who could never repay such generosity. When we extend grace it is as if we lend to the Lord. In other words, we never lose grace—or for that matter any godly virtue—in the giving thereof. Rather, what we give remains to our account, and returns to us from the Lord with interest.