TCN's Biblical Journey June 26th

Today's reading is Proverbs 3-7

PAY UP?!

Proverbs 3

The nuggets of wisdom fill Proverbs. For me the question is which to choose; the fear of the Lord, the importance of wisdom, confidence, and security found in wisdom? Today I’m drawn to verse 27, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.”

There are times when someone does something nice to you or does good in some other way and they deserve recognition and maybe even reward. Yes, we could say, God will reward them, and he will, but God expects us to do our part. It may be a simple as a thank you or as much as a large cash reward, but they need to be recognized. However, God wants us to participate in his work which means if we can we should.

There are times when someone may deserve a reward or recognition,

T but we have no way to reward them. If that is the case, this verse excuses you when it adds “when it is in your power to act.” There are times when it isn’t our place or in our power to recognize those who deserve better. Don’t feel guilty, it’s not in your power.

This verse isn’t just for those who do volunteer work. This verse would include those who do paid work. If someone has done work for you then they deserved paid. It is the good that they deserve. If you have it pay them. Don’t put off giving people what they deserve. Why? you may ask. I think the reason is if you don’t do it now you might not do it later and then you will have stolen from them and God doesn’t bless thieves.

On a different note and just as true, when your being paid for a job and it's in your power to do the work right, you need to do that too. Taking from your employer be it things, withholding your expertise, skills, or the time you should spend on a job, then you are stealing just as much as the employer who underpays his workers. 

Thankfully, God forgives thieves and forgetful people. The key is to try and make it right. Some people say don’t do today what can be put off to tomorrow, but I think God teaches “Don’t put off to tomorrow what should be doing today.”

Photo by Fancycrave on Unsplash