Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back later, I’ll give it tomorrow”–when you now have it with you(Proverbs 3:27,28 NIV).
The power to act is a blessing indeed. And God would like you to consider using that power wisely and in a timely manner.
There are situations when you are supposed to act immediately. There could be a need that has to be met now. And delay would mean loss of that opportunity to meet the need.
But God does not want you to act without using the wisdom that He has given you. He says that you need to do good to those who “deserve” it. Those who deserve your help can you include your neighbor, friend, relative or even a stranger.
If you prayerfully ask God for wisdom in discerning whether the person or persons are deserving help at that moment in time, He will surely give you guidance.
To such deserving people, God asks you not to withhold good. For you are God’s channel of supply. Who knows whether your doing good would cause those people to turn to God?
Withholding good or even delaying good when it is in your power to act is sinful.
For it is always possible that you might lose your power to act in the days to come. You may not have anything with you to give some days from now. Life is full of such twists and turns that you might find yourself in need tomorrow.
Therefore it is wise to think that it is God who has given you power to act today. Before you lose that power to act use it wisely to do good. When you do so not only will others thank you, but their hearts will overflow with thanks to God.
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