Proverbs 3:27 “do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to do it”
I was in the supermarket one day in Scotland getting my breakfast stuff. As I walked past a man in the shop I really sensed God’s presence as if he was concerned for this man. It’s not something I had experienced before, and so it was a bit of a weird moment. Nonetheless, I stopped from curiosity, turned and watched the man. He went down the alcohol aisle, and as I looked he grabbed a bottle of whisky and hid it inside his clothes as he was walking. He then headed to the checkouts and I was following at a distance. I panicked a little. What do I do? Do I wait till he gets to the checkout and see if he pays, will I tell the checkout lady if he doesn’t pay? I was really unprepared for this situation and had no clue what to do.
I watched the man go through the checkout and not pay for the whisky.
So, what to do…..
I followed him in the car park and sensed that I should speak to him. This is weird though, right? What would you do?
I went over and said hello and asked him how he was – he looked alarmed and kept walking. I said to him “I saw what you did in the shop”. He stopped and turned. I kept talking, “I wanted you to know that God loves you”. He thanked me and turned away and kept walking.
To be honest, it felt like an anti-climax. I grabbed my bicycle, chucked my breakfast food into my backpack, slung it on my shoulder, straddled the bike and was off. Cycling away I had a convo with God, which went like “so, I feel like a failure right now God, sorry, I did not really know what to do and I don’t think I was much help there”.
The answer that came back to me was “you did what you could, and that’s what I hoped for, well done”.
Maybe sounds weird to you if you are not used to having convos with the Holy Spirit?
Actually, it’s a great adventure that only gets better as we go on, right!
KNOWLEDGE
This is the third in a series of seven “do not’s”. Initially, we were told to [v21] “do not lose sight of these – keep sound wisdom and discretion” and then [25] “do not be afraid of sudden terror or of…….” and we were given a reason for this – which was our confidence in God.
So, here we are at no3. We are touching on the sin of omission here. Just as sin can be commission – in other words, the choices we make and the following actions, sin can also be lodged in omission, when we have the opportunity to undertake a kindness that is the right thing to do, and we decide not to.
In some ways, this is the start of a new dimension in our reading as we are now getting direct instructions on how to live. This proverb is dealing with how we live with others, whereas up till now the central theme was our familial relationship with God.
It’s a beautiful thought – when we have it within our power and control to speak words of life, to make a kind gesture, to undertake a kind action, or even to provide a secret blessing. For those people we have a responsibility towards – our family, our neighbours, our friends, all those people who are in the middle of hard seasons of life – we should practice not holding back – being generous, and blessings others at every opportunity – wow what a great way to live.
UNDERSTANDING
Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live?
The word “withhold” in Hebrew is pronounced, “mana” and is used 29 times in the Old Testament. The English words used to translate this are, withheld; hinder; held back; restrained; refuse; deny; and, keep. In this verse, 27, we pick up on the idea that we are not to keep back, or refuse to do good when it’s in our power to do so. There’s a challenge for today?
WISDOM: who could you bless today, and tomorrow?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: as a “developer” you have a genuine, inbuilt desire to patiently help others see and achieve what may even seem impossible to them. Remember to commit to investing in yourself as well.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [don’t debar others, from the pleasant prosperity of life, when we have the might and strength to perform and accomplish this with and for them.]
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PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to have my eyes open, my ears attuned, and my heart ready today, to look intentionally for opportunities to really and rightly bless others, in words, in deeds, and with resources, in secret, and in public. Thank you!
In my younger days, I have committed the sin of omission many, many times. The excuse then was, “ It’s not my business to interfere”. Later, while growing up, the excuse was the same, but there was a tinge of guilt afterwards, knowing I should have acted when I could.
Now, I know that God wants me to help others the same way I was helped many times while growing up.
Thank you for this message, Pastor Allan.
Thank you Ps Allan.
I love how you said – you have a genuine, inbuilt desire to patiently help others see and achieve what may even seem impossible to them. Remember to commit to investing in yourself as well.
Thank you for the encouragement and reminder.
Thank you for this sharing. It is timely. 🙂
So good Allan. You did great, love your conversation with God.
Great wisdom thought. – who could you bless today and tomorrow?
I can think of opportunities that I missed that were likely God given because of being afraid, looking stupid etc and then like you Allan feeling g a total failure. Thank you for this reminder that we should bless others in the way that we have been blessed and speak a timely word when the opportunity arises and the spirit prompts.
Blessed to be a blessing is what comes to my spirit. Blessings are our time, prayers, help, encouragement, uplifting another, putting ourselves out to love on others and so on. There are so many ways we can bless another all we need do is listen to The Holy Spirit for prompting Amen! He has the answers , solutions and ideas for us to lend a hand to another. It can be very practical and other times it can be interceding prayer and sacrifice on our part . Living selfless. I ask The lord to continually work in my life to make others my priority to bless .
Thank you Allan for demonstrating that character who is selfless and pastoral , following the prompts of the Holy Spirit for us .
“you did what you could, and that’s what I hoped for, well done”. These words brought peace to my soul today. Thank you Pastor Allan.
Thanks once more Pastor Allan for your kind caring pastoral heart!
I find this a good reminder to think outside myself! Many times particularly in my younger years I have failed to do what my heart was saying often because of fear of rejection & lack of confidence. Cultivating an attitude of trying even if it fails is a humbling experience but at least I’ve had a go! When I take my thoughts off my own needs & think of how I can bless someone else it is a great way to deal with selfishness & so often the reward is far greater in that it lifts my spirits & brings a sense of well being. I have found a spirit of generosity in my thoughts actions & a deliberate act of kindness has so enriched my life.
Withhold is in Hebrew is ‘Mana’. I have a family member with name Mana. (She is very generous actually!).
Sin of omission … soul searching thought.
Thank you for sharing how you handled that at the time. You had wisdom and courage to deal this at that moment by having consulted with the Holy Spirit.
As you prayed I would whole heatedly join and say AMEN!
Thank you Allan.
Thank you for sharing. God bless you 🙏
Thank you Allan for the beautiful and encouraging word. We so need to have our eyes and ears open specially know. So many people are suffering in silence, small words of encouragement goes a long way.
Powerful prayer today Allan, Amen .
Love today’s scripture
“Do not withhold good from anyone to those who it is due ,when you have the power to bless them.”
To always speak life and blessing over our family ,friends and neighbors.
To go beyond and reach people and be sensitive to their needs