“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due [its rightful recipients], When it is in your power to do it. 28Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you. Proverbs 3:37-28 AMP

Many times, God provides opportunities for us to demonstrate the love that has been shed aboard in our hearts! If we proclaim to follow the One who saved us, then we must also be willing be a cheerful giver. When I read this verse, I see the words, “to whom it is due…” The word here is an interesting one. On the surface it appears to indicate the receiver when in reality, it is referring to the one who is the source. The Hebrew word means “pertaining to the one who forms an object” or “to the owner.” Of course, we know who the One is that is the owner! The Scripture tell us,

“He who is gracious and lends a hand to the poor lends to the LORD, And the LORD will repay him for his good deed.” Proverbs 19:17 AMP

Jesus put it this way,

“And whoever gives to one of these little ones [these who are humble in rank or influence] even a cup of cold water to drink because he is my disciple, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.”  Mathew 10:42 AMP

“The King will answer and say to them, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it for Me.” Matthew 25:40 AMP

Do you see it? Our giving isn’t to the person standing in front of us, it is giving to Him! Look at Matthew 10:42, “…because he is my disciple…” As disciples of Christ we must follow His example of love and giving. The Scripture is clear that God first loved us. He loved us so much that,

““For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 AMP

It wasn’t because we deserved it, it was because He loved us. Too many time we over-think the giving process trying to determine if the person is worthy or not. Thankfully God did not have the same attitude about us! The Apostle Paul wrote,

“Well then, are we [Jews] better off than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) are under the control of sin and subject to its power. 10As it is written and forever remains written, 

“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS [none that meets God’s standard], NOT EVEN ONE. 11“THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD. 12“ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, NO, NOT ONE.” 13“THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE; THEY [habitually] DECEIVE WITH THEIR TONGUES.” “THE VENOM OF ASPS IS BENEATH THEIR LIPS.” 14“THEIR MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS.” 15“THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD, 16DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS, 17AND THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN THE PATH OF PEACE.” 18“THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD [and His awesome power] BEFORE THEIR EYES.” Romans 3:9-18 AMP

Next time you are faced with the “unlovely,” and it is in “within you power to do something,” don’t see the person in front of you, see the One who empowered you to make a difference in the lives of the lost! Have a blessed day