Day 14 – 90 Days in Proverbs - Withholding Good

Proverbs 3:27-28 [NKJV] 27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do [so]. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give [it]," When you have it with you.

God is looking for generous daughters who, when they see a need, respond with giving whatever they have to give. We should not think only of “things” that might be given – money, clothes, or food, for example, although it is important to give those things. Verse 27 says “Do not withhold good”, not “goods”. Although other scriptures do specifically encourage us to give of the things we possess, we don’t always have a lot to share in the realm of material possessions.

People in need often do need clothing and food and money for rent. But they are almost always also equally in need of prayer, encouragement, the good news of the Gospel, someone to listen to them, someone to care, or just to spend time with them.

I don’t know about you, but I do not carry extra clothes or food with me in my purse or car. In the case of coming upon someone in need of food or clothes, I would have to say, “I’ll bring them to you later”. Many times, I don’t even have any significant money with me to hand over.

However, I always have ears to listen, a mouth to speak words of encouragement or to speak of the love of God and His plan of salvation for all. As busy as my life may seem, I often have the time to stop what I am doing and pray for others or with them. And if I am committed to giving good at the moment it is needed or requested, then stopping right then to pray with or encourage them is what I should do.

Remember the example of Peter in Acts 3. He was asked for money and he didn’t have any. But he did not ignore the beggar. Instead, he gave the beggar much more than the beggar requested. Peter took the time to stop, acknowledge the beggar and heal him by the power of Jesus.

You and I may not have the gift of healing. But we do all have the gift of time. We can heal a broken spirit by showing care and concern – by taking the time to stop on our way to whatever else seems (or is) oh, so important to encourage another person.

Sweet sisters, we must recognize these opportunities and be willing to pause our busy lives to give good when we have it to give. We all have good news to give. We all have time to give. We all have love to give. These things represent the good we are to give others in their time of need.

Prayer — Father God, You have given me so much. You give me each new 24-hour day. Help me to generously give some of that time to others whenever possible and when it is asked of me. You have given me Jesus and the knowledge of your plan of salvation for all. Help me to give the good news whenever it is asked of me. And when goods are required, if I am able to do so, help me to freely give of that too, so that I can be more like Jesus who set the example for me. In His name I pray. Amen.

Your thougts:

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