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Doing Good (how far should we go)?

Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to act. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back tomorrow, and I'll give it to you"— when you already have it with you.


How far are we supposed to go when it comes to giving to others? These days, where people are out of work and companies are closing because of the pandemic, it can be difficult to judge between a real need and an imagined one. 


You might want to re-read this text because it doesn't say anything about giving money. However, money might be a part of the equation. The text also specifies to whom the good should be given when it states, "to whom it is due.” 


The other day at an outdoor restaurant, a teen approached me asking for a hand-out. He looked to be about 18 years old and was very dazed and dirty. I quickly shook my head "no" to his plea for help. After a few minutes, I went to talk to the small group of people from which the teen had come. They were all seated on the ground. There were two men and two women in the dingy group. Both of the women looked mentally deficient and pregnant. Neither of them said anything nor even looked at me during my short visit. 


The lead spokesman's name was Jonas. When I asked him why he was in this place, he told me a story of loss and sickness and hope in a promised government handout. 


When I offered to buy him lunch, he quickly told me that the restaurant owner was giving them lunch, but that If I could buy them something to drink, that would be great. So I did. I asked if I could share Christ with them and pray for them. Jonas consented. 


I did a good thing. However, I left that scene with doubts. I spoke with someone at the restaurant, and they said that this group had been coming for food for at least the last five months. They didn't seem to be going after any government help. So, my doubts were as follows, was Jonas telling me the truth, or was he a vagabond. Was he a good guy who was going through a rough stretch, or was he a pan-handler?


Don't withhold good from the good. Be ready to help when you can. Remember that you are a needy person, too, and you would be lost without the grace of God. But, also, don't hesitate to check out the "good" people. Some are not as good as they appear. 

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