March 29

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, “Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,” when you have it with you. Proverbs 3:27-28.

I must admit that my first thought after reading this was to think of Wimpy, Popeye’s friend. He would order a hamburger and say, “ I will pay you next Tuesday.” But aren’t we like that sometimes? There are many ways for us to withhold the good that is due. We hold back our love to our neighbor; we hold back our attention to what others are telling us. We don’t always share our lives with those in need. The list goes on. Yes, we can be like Wimpy.

Christ never yielded to this pattern. He gave of Himself completely, even to the point of death on a cross. All this was for others to whom nothing was really due. He died for us while we were totally unworthy, even while we were enemies. I want to be like that. If it can be accomplished it is because of the working of His Spirit within me.

So today, Lord Jesus, let me withhold nothing that is due to my fellow man. Let me withhold nothing that is due to You. I offer my love, whatever amount it is, knowing all along that it is a small fragment of Your complete love. But somehow in Your providence it is enough when it is offered freely and unconditionally. I count on You to measure and apply it in the proper amount and in the proper time. You are so good at that, and I thank You. Amen.
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