“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.”
Proverbs 3:27 NIV
Just Do It!
While in medical school, I came across my favorite bible verse, Proverbs 3:27. As a physician in training, it made perfect sense to me. It basically says that if you have the power or ability to help someone in need, then do so. As best I can, I try to live by that verse.
The Struggle is Real
I always thought it made perfect sense for a doctor. However the older I get, the more possibilities I see for that verse to be applied. We can help with time, advice, physical assistance, a listening ear, or numerous other ways. The “problem” with Proverbs 3:27 though is that it usually costs the “helper” something: time, pain, etc.
One area that is easy to see but particularly hard is when the cost to the helper is monetary. For some reason we have a hard time justifying that cost. We come up with lots of reasons: times are tight, they’ll waste it, do they really need it, someone else will help, they should have made better decisions, etc. The list goes on, but the point is we’ve all been there at some point.
Our Guide
Looking in the first few books of acts, we see exactly what generous and sacrificial giving looks like.
In Acts 4, starting in vs 32 we read:
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales”
Acts 4:32-34 NIV
One Heart & Mind
Note in this passage what happens when a group of believers are of one heart and mind and focused on the Gospel: God’s grace was powerfully at work and all the needs were met.
Imagine a world where again the Church is of one mind and one heart. Think of the good that we could do. We are called to be good stewards with what God has given us and that includes the finances he has blessed us with.
When those opportunities arise to help someone in need, pray and take advantage of them if you can. And according to Proverbs 22:9; “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
Thad Hardin
MD5 Facilitator
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