What Everyone Owes

“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.” (Pr 3:27 AV)

The verse following, verse twenty-eight, specifically applies to fiscal assistance.  Solomon is encouraging his children to be generous with what they have towards those with genuine needs.  But the application, in principle, is not limited to material wealth.  That which catches my eye every time I read this is the phrase, “to whom it is due”.   Isn’t that interesting?  Why would we owe someone with a need some of our surplus?  Or, why would someone be entitled to anything which we possess?  Again, this is not strictly a material wealth thing.  Perhaps what Solomon was trying to teach his children is the basic human responsibility of mutual care and respect.  We owe it to everyone else to do what we can to ease their life’s burden.  Paul speaks of this in his letter to the Philippians.   “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Php 2:4 AV)  His instruction to this church was to care about one another and to share what they have or what they were with those who could be blessed by it.

As the generations pass, I am astounded at the lack of respect and concern people have for one another.  It is unfortunate we have not diligently passed on to our children or grandchildren the basic principles of courtesy.  Yielding to others is seldom the case.  Respecting the space or even the safety of others is not something that immediately comes to mind.  Time and again, we read of someone losing their temper over an extremely minor inconvenience and acting out, many times, in a criminal way.  It often takes a tragedy to bring out the best in us.  But what of the day-to-day interactions?  What about a simple smile or cordial greeting to a complete stranger who appears to need a smile sent his or her way?  What about a simple thank you for the effort someone else took on our behalf? When I read the verse above, this is what comes to mind.  Kindness.  Concern.  Empathy.  Love.

I wonder how different our world would be if everyone thought about the situation of others before they thought of their own.  This does not come naturally.  In our natural state, we are selfish and narcissistic.  Our situation is the most important.  This is what we are.  If we are to follow the advice of Solomon, there has to be a change of heart.  This change must be a supernatural one.  Our heart is black with sin and until something, or someone, comes into our heart and changes it to be more benevolent, the above command would be difficult, if not impossible. When Jesus comes into our hearts and His love is what comes out, then we can truly care for others as we should.  This attitude of the heart should be second nature to the saint.  As he or she has allowed the love of Christ to shine forth, then naturally they will look onto the things of others.  They will pay that which is due to a fellow human being.  The saint should live this, and if we are not, then the old man is dominant rather than the Holy Spirit of God.