Scripture Passage:  “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.”  Proverbs 3:27

 

Dear Friends, A young lawyer came to ask Jesus a question in order to test Him.  The question was “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Jesus ask, “What does the law say?” The young man answered, “Thou shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”  Jesus’ reply was, “You have answered right, do this, and you will live.”  But the young man willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”  From that question Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan to show that a neighbor is anyone that you have the opportunity to do good to regardless of ethnicity, gender, or social status.  Luke 10:25-37   Our story today relates very well to Solomon’s teaching in Proverbs 3:27.

    We often think that doing good to others pertains to giving monetary gifts that will relieve a financial burden someone is going through.  It is so much more.  There have been many times a person has shown up at just the right moment to lend me a hand in a job I was trying to accomplish.  Other times it has been a kind word of encouragement or someone taking the time just to listen.  I have been given gifts because individuals know how much I would treasure them and the meticulous care I would give them.  I have people bake pies, cookies, and home- made rolls for me and my family.  It is their gift and they use their talents to do good for me because it is within their power to do it.  The greatest gift of all is simply friendship.  My friends range from Senior Adults to children and I appreciate everything they do for me.

 

     In reading this verse and researching it, I came across some thoughts by a Biblical commentator who lived over three hundred years ago.  Matthew Henry was one of the first to do a complete verse by verse commentary of the entire Bible.  His thoughts are very practical and his exegesis of Scripture is just as accurate today as it was back then.  He said there are six things that the proper interpretation of this Scripture requires us to do.  1.  To pay our debts without fraud or delay.  2.  To give wages to those who have earned them.  3. To provide for our relations, and those that have dependence on us, for to them it is due. 4. To render dues both to the church and state, magistrates and ministers.  5.  To be ready to all acts of friendship and humanity, and in everything to be neighborly; for these are the things that are due by the law of doing as we would be done by.  6.  To be charitable to the poor and necessitous.   If we would be faithful in the administration of these duties, we would fulfill not only Solomon’s instruction to do good, but also Jesus’ commandment to love God and our neighbor.  Take the opportunity today to show a little bit of love and kindness in the name of Jesus.  The words of a song from many years ago rings in my head today as I finish this article.

 

“Show a little bit of love and kindness”                                                                                                              “Never go along with hatreds blindness”                                                                                                                “Take a little time to reach for joy and wear a happy face”                                                                                      “Sing a little bit when the days are dreary”                                                                                                          “Give a little help to a friend that’s weary”                                                                                                        “That’s the way to make the world a happy place.”

 

In Christ, Pastor Johnny