No Withholdng

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
NO WITHHOLDING
Prov 3:27-28
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow" — when you now have it with you. NIV
Is this just speaking to the issue of material things, or could this also apply to time and effort? I think both are at the center of this saying. Surely God has never withheld anything good from anyone who deserves it. But here, this tells me it is my turn as well. I must be ready, willing and able to give of what I have whenever the occasion comes my way. I am not sure I need to go looking for opportunities to give to those who deserve, but I know that when the time comes my way, when I am in the position, and have the means I need to act. Now, the question of course which I have to ask, is how does someone qualify to deserve receiving whatever is within my power to give? Is all they have to be is my neighbor to deserve? Then who is my neighbor? Is this just the household of faith? Or is this truly those in my neighborhood? I think Jesus answered that question in the story about the man on the road and the Samaritan. So there it is, if it is within my power, which surely must include all the skills and talents the Lord God has blessed me within and not just money or things, I must not withhold from giving when it is needed. I am sure even it is just my time, an ear to listen, a shoulder to lean on or a word of encouragement I should not withhold from those who deserve for that surely is within my power to act. What I believe I have to work on is the acting now part and not putting it off until some other time. Procrastination has always been my good suit. I have gotten real good at it, but this speaks directly to my heart, that must not be the case regarding this. I cannot hold back or put off, it is that simply. I think no matter what it is I must give, it is going to cost me something. Although I do not agree with everything Roberts has said or done, the idea if seed faith has some merit, not that I should give to get, but if I do give time, God will give more if it to me, if I give of my talent, God will bless me with more talent, if I give money, God will give me more of the same. I know this is true; I have experienced this many times and can attest to it. So this is what I must do, I think I have, maybe not always, but most of the time fulfilled this command. I think at least I try to, I am sure I have failed, but I will try to keep this more in the front of my mind, and be open to the moving of the Spirit in this area of my life. When I have it with me, I cannot withhold from those who deserve.