Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back tomorrow and I'll give it to you"- when you already have it with you.
Proverbs 3:27-28
Does this one make you cringe? You wouldn’t be the only one.
But here are some quick thoughts.
Why are there so many verses about “giving to my neighbor” in the Bible?
Maybe it’s because humans are prone to gather, horde, and accumulate the “stuff” of this world, and God knows that none of that will bring happiness or fulfillment. In fact, the stuff of the world is addicting and leads to loneliness, emptiness, and fear. And I believe that’s the goal of he-who-controls-the-“stuff”-of-this-world, isn’t it? Our complete destruction.
Therefore, God calls us- over and over again- to “give” instead. He expects us to take care of our neighbor in need whether that’s a physical need or emotional need or maybe it’s just spending time with someone and listening to what’s on their heart. If we see a need, God calls us to take action.
Besides, all that we have, all that we are is already a gift. And in the process of giving to someone, we are reminded of what is important in life.
Okay, then who is my neighbor?
Literal neighbors? Family? Anyone we cross paths with?
When Jesus was asked this very question as recorded in the Gospel of Luke, He responded with the story of the Good Samaritan. (Luke 10:25-27)
Bible scholars say the setting of this road between Jerusalem and Jericho was a well-known highway of robbery and treachery. Not a road that one walked alone, but this man in the story did and it illustrates Jesus’s point clearly. The man was attacked and left for dead. A Jewish priest came by and did not help. Likewise, the Levite walked by and did not help. When Jesus told this story, listeners would clearly know that the Levite and the priest were “neighbors” of the hurt man, of the same culture and belief system. They were fellow Jews, and yet, they walked on by.
The one who did stop was a despised and despicable- according to Jews during Bible times- Samaritan man. He saw the Jewish man in need and went above and beyond to help.
According to Jesus’s story, who is our “neighbor” then?
The person in need right in front of us regardless of culture, race, status, or even attitude. Jesus says if we see someone in need, we need to help. We don’t say, “maybe tomorrow” or “when it’s not raining” or “when I feel better about it.” If we all took care of the needs that cross our paths timely and with love, the world would be a better place.
“To Whom it is Due?”
The phrase “to whom it is due” can sometimes hang us up, can’t it? Meaning- give to those who are trying to take care of themselves or to those who say please and act grateful or to those who truly need help (we get to decide if they do or not)? No, that is not what Solomon is saying here and it’s not what Jesus taught in the parable of the Good Samaritan.
In fact, the Levite and the priest that walked on by could’ve been thinking, “that’s what ya get for walking down this road alone!” Jesus teaches otherwise.
The New Living Translation translates “to whom it is due” as “those who deserve it.” The Hebrew words Solomon used must be hard to translate into English, which is why it is good to read in more than one Bible translation. The Good News Bible says, “to those who need it.” The Complete Jewish Bible says, “someone entitled to it.”
But Proverbs 3:27-28 doesn’t mean “someone who, you believe, earned it.” It means- whoever crosses your path in need, just like the parable of the Good Samaritan.
It’s hard to help people who, in our eyes, don’t deserve it, haven’t tried hard enough, continue to make mistakes, whatever. It is hard. But that kind of love mirrors God’s love for us. What if we had to deserve or work hard enough for God to love us? What if God’s love was dependent upon our attitude? Oh my . . .
Has God placed someone in your path, attitude or not, that He is asking you to help?
How is this “wisdom?”
Because it’s also God’s greatest commandment!
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Matthew 22:36-40 NIV
I believe the commandment to love our neighbor is “wisdom” for two reasons:
- Because we are reminded of what is important in this life- to love God and to love others, not to gather the “stuff” of this world.
- Because it is truly how God loves us. He gives freely. He loves freely. He doesn’t only love us on our good days. He doesn’t only love us when we are grateful, and He wants us to learn to love like He does.
I think these things are in the Bible for us to keep our heads on straight and not get distracted by stuff.
So, when someone asks for help- give. When you see someone in need, and you have the ability to help- then do. When God is tickling your heart to help that one person, whether it’s money or stuff or time or just a hug, don’t ignore Him.
That is wisdom.
And God is watching.
Heidi xoxo
