27 Don’t withhold good from someone who deserves it,
when it is in your power to do so.
Reflection
This verse isn’t the way many of us think. We live in a society that is more self focused on our interests and material gain. But we are told over and over to do good.
It reminds me of a story I once wrote about a worship service at Beall’s Department Store. It wasn’t your typical worship service. But it ought to be. Let me set the stage. A father and his middle school-aged daughter were shopping so she could have a dress for a wedding. It wasn’t something they’d done before.
As you might imagine, both had some very differing opinions on what the dress should look like. It was so frustrating the girl was in tears. Fortunately for her— and the father—a concerned woman was at Beall’s that day. She saw what was happening and asked the girl if they might look for a covering or shawl together. Then shoes. And then the rest of the wardrobe.
She saved the shopping trip and when they went to the checkout, she also paid for the items. Very similar to Proverbs 3:27.
The father was stunned, thanked her and asked her why. Basically, she told him she was a Christian and that’s what she did.
What a beautiful worship service, even if it didn’t happen on Sunday.
Sometimes as Christians, we focus too much on “being good.” But Christians should be more concerned about doing good
That was the message Paul gave Titus, when he wrote Titus 3:8: “And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”
That wonderful gift in Beall’s profited both the recipient and the giver. And God got the glory even if no one else saw it.
Just to make sure that Titus got the point, Paul added in verse 14: “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.”
Why must we learn to devote ourselves to doing what is good? Because it’s not a natural response – at least for many of us. But let me make a point before some complain about “works” salvation. I am a huge believer in grace. And I’m grateful God is too. Grace doesn’t mean we don’t work—quite the opposite.
Paul explained this to the Ephesians in the second chapter of his letter to them.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast, wrote Paul as he explained grace and salvation. But then he added. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
There are other verses, but the point is simple. Do good, don’t just be good.
God gets the glory, and we all benefit—what a beautiful act of worship.
by Rick Reed
For Pondering and Prayer
Wouldn’t it be great if we tried to do good whenever we could. It’s what God created us for. I don’t think that way very often. But wouldn’t it be great if I did.
Prayer: God of grace, mercy and goodness, help us to be the people we were meant to be. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
