Proverbs 3:27-28

“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 back, and tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you.”

Have you ever experienced asking for help from any of your friends or loved ones, who did not help you even though they can help you? For example, you ask your friend for a lift ride today to be on time for your work at 10 o’clock a.m but he or she refuses to assist you because he or she is waiting for a favorite T.V. show at that time, “sorry friend, I cannot help you today, perhaps tomorrow is good because I’m waiting for the next episode of my favorite cooking show right now.” What do you think this person would feel?

Let’s flip the coin, what if you are the person being asked for help but still you refuse to give urgent help to the needy even if you can give it?

The Bible says, “Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you.” It is improper and unethical in the sight of God to delay our conviction to help. To delay our help that is immediately needed especially when we can give it right away is like showing them, that they are not worthy of our time, care, effort, and love.

With this attitude, we are communicating that we do not value relationships, urgency, and life, but ourselves only.

This wise teaching of God is a weapon to kill self-centeredness. When someone came to us for help with legitimate cases, we have an opportunity to grow our care for the needy, get deeper into knowing people, chance to do what is right in the Lord, and show God’s mercy to them. What an opportunity to declare God’s, word, beauty, and glory is it not?

Just do not help blindly, or carelessly, but when the Lord opens a door for us to help even in the smallest capacity, do not delay it, give the need of your neighbor, and give glory to God.

May we reflect the image of our Lord Jesus Christ as we help our neighbors in love and faith. Amen.