Helping people was good. But if you weren’t careful, you could destroy yourself in the process. And then what good would you be to people in need?”
–John Deacon (The Provider 4)
“‘Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well’ –but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?”
–James 2:16 (NLT)
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Good stewards, not only in finances and goods, but also with our time. This is part of the essence of 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.
(ESV)
.27 — Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
.28 — Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it” –when you have it with you.
“Not withhold,” literally means, “hold not back from its master.” In other words, pay what is expected to whom it is due and pay it on time. We need to concentrate on the verse part of verse 27. To whom do we owe is the question. Here are a few thoughts:
1) We owe honest wages to workers under our employ.
2) We owe it to our family who depend on us.
3) We owe it to those with whom we have debts. (Oh my, and that includes those with whom we have credit).
4) We owe our due to the government in the form of taxes.
5) We owe it to others by doing acts of friendship.
The world says, “look out for number one.” Bob Beasley tells us that “Selfishness is the root of pride, which is the root of sin, which is the root of all of the problems the world faces.” Part of this is the idea that whenever we possibly can, we are to do good to those who need it. With that being said, we are also to be good stewards; that means knowing to whom and what we are giving. Yes, to those whom we owe, we must pay. But, as F.B. Meyer states, “Life presents us with many duties, as well as many opportunities. We need to be generous, but we also must be prudent.”
We must do good with our time. Far too often we procrastinate with our time and then it is too late. We must be good stewards of knowledge as well. Don’t just throw your money away and if you give it, understand who and why you are giving. We must also give the spiritual knowledge that we have. We are to render the benefits we enjoy because of the Gospel. Matthew Henry tells us, “True wisdom consists in the due discharge of our duty toward man, as well as toward God, in honesty as well as piety.”
“Come back tomorrow,” what an excuse. What was it Wimpy used to say, “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today”? Pay up, if you have the means at the time. “‘Come back tomorrow’ is being devious in hoping that the needs of our neighbors will somehow disappear, be forgotten, or that his neighbor will find help elsewhere.” (Beasley) Listen, “Good intentions…are like ghosts haunting a dwelling.” (William Arnot) Jesus gives a stern warning, “I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me. (Matthew 25:42-43, NKJV)
These verses are not telling you to give to this person or to that cause, but to be prudent. To pay what it owed, then to help when and wherever possible. J.L. Flores presents some reasons why we should not withhold our time, money, knowledge, etc.:
1) The person in need today may be beyond your reach tomorrow.
2) You may not live to help him tomorrow.
3) The person’s need may be increased by the delay. The delay may make the demand greater.
4) To do the good tomorrow instead of today is not to be an imitator of God.
5) The postponement may allow evil to rise in our heart–hindrances, thoughts, bitterness, excuses.