Context No. 3913 of 4322 · Proverbs

Proverbs 3:17-35: in context

17Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace. 18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her. 19By wisdom the LORD founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens. 20By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew. 21My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion, 22so they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck. 23Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won’t stumble. 24When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet. 25Don’t be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes; 26for the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being taken. 27Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. 28Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you,” when you have it by you. 29Don’t devise evil against your neighbor, since he dwells securely by you. 30Don’t strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm. 31Don’t envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways. 32For the perverse is an abomination to the LORD, but his friendship is with the upright. 33The LORD’s curse is in the house of the wicked, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous. 34Surely he mocks the mockers, but he gives grace to the humble. 35The wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools.

This section of Proverbs, having praised wisdom, turns to practical righteousness toward our neighbors, and one command stands out for its immediacy: do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, come back tomorrow, and I will give it, when you have it with you now.

Wisdom does not delay the good it can do today. There is a searching challenge here. So often we intend to help, to give, to do the good that is ours to do, but we put it off, come back later, when we have the means and the moment right now. God's wisdom calls us to do good promptly, not to make those in need wait when it is within our power to help them today. The passage goes on to warn against envying the violent and against pride, promising that God gives grace to the humble. Woven through it is a vision of a life that does good without delay, treats neighbors justly, and walks humbly. When we have the power to do good today, wisdom says: do it now, do not put it off.

When it is in my power to do good for someone today, do I do it promptly, or do I put off the good I could do now, making those in need wait when I have the means to help them?

Sources

Proverbs 3:27: "Don't withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it."
Proverbs 3:28: "Don't say to your neighbor, Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you, when you have it by you."
Proverbs 3:34: "Surely he mocks the mockers, but he gives grace to the humble."