Don't Hold Back

"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" Proverbs 3:27-28).

The contrast between the person who holds back good from those around him and the generosity of lady wisdom (3:16) is unmistakable. Just as lady wisdom is a two fisted giver of long life and riches, we are to be generous givers to friends and neighbors.

The right thing to do when people are in need, and we have the resources to help them, is to generously help. Wisdom leads us to healthy relationships with others. A healthy relationship with those around us includes the attitude and action of giving. We have resources and they have needs. Wisdom brings the two together.

Verse 27 has direct implications for employers who owe their workers their wages. They are to not withhold good from its owners... they are to pay the wages due. Verse 28 has direct implications for friends and neighbors that are dealing with real time needs. Why put off helping someone in immediate need? Putting off help does not communicate compassion, kindness, or love.

Is there an area of our lives in which we feel we are holding backing? Are we putting off assistance for any reason at all? If so, we need to make immediate adjustments. We need to be givers to those who are due that which is theirs and we need to be immediate givers to those who are in need. Any other response is simply holding back.