“Do not withhold
good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come
again, tomorrow I will give it’—when you have it with you. Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who
dwells trustingly beside you.” –Proverbs
3:27-29 (ESV).
This
could be called the proverb about being a good neighbor. Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:9-10: “And
let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do
not give up. So then, as we have
opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the
household of faith.” This proverb
also reminds me of the parable Jesus told in Luke 11:5-13 of the person who
went to his neighbor at midnight, after the latter was already in bed, knocked,
and asked for three loaves of bread. A
friend had come unexpectedly from a journey and was hungry. The neighbor answered, “Do not bother me; my
household is already at rest.” But
because of the impudence of the seeking neighbor, the man finally got up and
gave him bread to feed his visitor. The
word translated “impudence” in Luke 11:8 is from the Greek word “anaideia,” and means “lack of
sensitivity to what is proper; or impudence.”
This is its only use in the New Testament. It would indicate that the seeker boldly and
shamelessly awakened his neighbor and asked for bread to feed a visitor at
midnight. Jesus further used the parable
to teach that we should keep on asking, seeking and knocking when we seek
blessings from the Father. He also indicates
that a person would not give a serpent when asking for a fish, nor a scorpion
when he asks for an egg. The Father
knows much better how to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him The writer of Proverbs was teaching that
those who have should give to those deserving help. When we have the resources to help others, we
should not delay and have them beg. Just
like Jesus taught in the parable, we should not give evil gifts when the
persons are seeking that which will help them.
We live in a day with many hands held
out begging that we give to this cause or that need. We are often confused as to what charities
and missions are just and worthy of our attention and giving. Throughout the Proverbs, we are urged to get
wisdom and understanding. And we
certainly must exercise these when we seek to respond to causes. Some questions we can ask are: Is the appeal coming from a just and
honorable need? Is the organization
authentic? Are the funds being used with
good stewardship and to benefit the persons for whom the money or goods are
given? Or does the contribution line the
pockets of deceptive and greedy leaders?
The best advice is to pray about the
matter and seek God’s leadership. We
should not be greedy ourselves and withhold when an authentic need faces us and
challenges us to give. When it is within
our power to give and the cause is justified, then God will direct us not to
withhold. I, personally, have come to a
peaceful settlement of what to do. The
Bible teaches, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse” (Malachi 3:10). Offerings I make are always over and beyond
the tithe—whether for mission causes sponsored by my church or entities within
the larger community that seek donations.
If I have to say “no” at times, then I know that my conscience before
God will be clear because I have not withheld what He directed me to give. How
about you? Do you need to make some
financial decisions that will fit the proverb of not withholding gifts from
those who need and deserve them?
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