SettledInHeaven.org (Blogger): SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 3:27-30

He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

Proverbs Concerning: Our Relationship To Fear: Prov 3:27-30

27) Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do [it].

28) Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

29) Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

30) Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

INTRODUCTION:

Solomon now gives to us proverbs that touch on the subject of our relationship with our neighbors…

EXPOSITION:

27) Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do [it].

When we can help others in need…

1. We should not hold back being a benefit to them. It is not simply our choice to help them, it is our duty to do so. We owe them our assistance because God has given us the responsibility to love and care for others. (Matt 22:37-40)

2. However, if we are not equipped to meet the specific need in another person’s life, it is proof we are not called by God to do so. This is because the Lord only holds us accountable for that which we have been given. (2 Cor 8:11-12)

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:9-10)

28) Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

Once we recognize our neighbor’s area of want …

1. We should not delay our assistance. We are to fulfill our opportunity of assistance as soon as we are able to do so. By doing this we are taking the immediate step of faith and not giving opportunity for Satan or our flesh to intervene and hinder our acts of love and kindness.

2. We should not make it more difficult for our neighbor to receive our assistance. We should not be adding to their burden but we are to be sharing their burden and lightening their load in every way possible.

“If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit?” (James 2:15-16)

“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” (Romans 15:1)

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Galatians 5:13-14)

29) Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

Not only do we have a responsibility to help others in need, but…

1. We are to never plan, nor desire, for harm to fall upon any of our neighbors.

2. There are at least two reasons for this prohibition…

He has made his dwelling place alongside of ours, a sign of the faith he has placed in us to work for peace, safety and security. To work for his harm is to betray this trust he has placed in us.

Also, since he has settled next to us, with no expectation of his departure, we should not engender strife by working for his harm.

“Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: [neither] let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause. For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against [them that are] quiet in the land.” (Psalms 35:19-20)

“He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. [The words] of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war [was] in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet [were] they drawn swords.” (Psalms 55:20-21)

30) Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

We have the responsibility to work for peace, not to create unrest, dissent and an argumentative environment. We can only accomplish this by helping others in need and not working to harm others around us. However, the Lord does make a possible exception for self-defense in the case of one who has been harmed.

“Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” (Psalms 34:14)

“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21)

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient,” (2 Timothy 2:24)

“Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.” (1 Peter 3:11)

SUMMARY:

Our Lord’s desire for our relationship with our Lord and our neighbors can be summarized by Matt 22:37-40… “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

When we love others as we should, we will find ourselves only working for the benefit of others without desiring for evil to fall upon them. This will result in a lasting peaceful relationship with those around us.