Skip to main content

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. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

If this is the kingdom of God, do I really want it?

If this is Kingdom Living, Do I Want it? Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. In a study of the Sermon on the Mount to this point we might be tempted to say, “I don’t want to be that happy!” If this is Kingdom living then I want to go to Disney World. This place is depressing.  What Jesus describes here seems to highlight all of the ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Life's Twists - Esther

The fascinating account that we call "Esther" has intrigue, love and mysterious purpose that highlights God's sovereign control over every aspect. In ten chapters, we meet the ruling King of Persia, his evil courtier Haman, Mordecai, a dignified and stubborn Jew and his niece Hadassa. Each player has an integral part in the tale. That story goes like this.  The King has a magnificent party that goes on for six months! Finally, in his desire to show off his lovely wife, he calls for her to come dressed in her crown. She refuses, usually a crime punishable by death, and is banished from the castle. The flustered King asks his men what he should do, and they decide he should seek a new bride. The process takes months, but finally, Ester is chosen. Her new position will be a critical part of the happy ending of this story.  Enter the villain Haman, who hates Mordecai so much that he eventually plans to kill him. Before that evil deed, however, he hatches an even more cruel ac...
Post a Comment
Read more

What? How?

 27 “But to you who are listening, I say:  Love your enemies,  do good to those who hate you, 28  bless those who curse you,  pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek,  turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat,  do not withhold your shirt from them.  30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.  31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.  32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.  33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.  34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.  35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.  Then your reward will be gr...
Post a Comment
Read more