Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
Withhold no good that is owed to another when you have the power to give it. The duty is measured by the full extent of that power, requiring no more but accepting no less, so concern must be put into action rather than empty words. What can be done should be done at once and not put off to another day, for delay may keep the deed from ever being done or bring help too late. This forbids failing to pay what is owed or to keep a promise when able, and calls for prompt and honest dealing with creditors even in small bills. It also calls for using means to relieve the poor, the sick and burdened, widows and orphans, and all who are less fortunate, for sharing present light with neighbors in darkness, and for giving timely comfort by kind words, smiles, and friendship.
Meaning and Measure of Duty
Good is not to be held back from those to whom it is due when it lies within the power of the hand to render it. Doing such good is a moral duty grounded in relation to God and to fellow human beings, and not a mere act of kindness. That obligation is enforced by God's law and by Christ's example. His self-denial was sustained by the joy of saving people and of honoring His Father's law.
The measure of the duty is the full extent of one's power to do good, requiring no more than that but accepting no less. Mere feeling of concern is therefore not enough, and care must be put into action rather than answered with empty words while another goes without help. Doing only a little does not meet the duty, and failing to do all one can leaves one accountable in the judgment. Such service is a privilege and a source of joy, sustained by the hope of sharing in Christ's work of saving others and of receiving the promised reward.
Do Good Without Delay
The verse requires giving the good that is due when there is ability to give it, without withholding it or putting it off until another day or a more convenient time. Mere feeling of concern is not enough, and care must be put into action rather than answered with empty words while someone goes without help. It calls for acting at the first opportunity with prompt, considerate help, because delay can prevent a good deed from ever being done. That includes helping those in poverty and easing their sorrow without delay, since waiting may mean the opportunity is lost. Help and encouragement are to be offered now, because those who need them may not be reachable later.
Help, kind words, comfort and encouragement belong to the present opportunity and are to be given at the first chance. Postponing generosity to the sick and poor until some later time may mean never doing it at all. What is put off may come too late because another chance may not come, and someone may suffer without the help. Those needing help and encouragement may not be reachable later if the present moment is let pass. Delay can put kindness beyond reach, for the need may be gone in the coming year, whether it is lifting those crowded with care from despair, leading a dear friend worn with weary toiling days into pleasant paths, or scattering loving smiles and words of cheer and praise to those around.
Timely relief is especially valuable when someone nearby is in need and there is power to help. Aid to a sick, poor person should be delivered at once. Even waiting until morning may prolong hardship and deprive him of a better night's rest.
Practical Duties in Daily Life
Withholding what is owed when there is power to pay is forbidden, and failing to keep a promise or pay a debt despite having the means is sin on the level of stealing or false witness, contrary to true religion and just dealing, and serious enough to warrant church discipline. Duty toward creditors requires honesty and concern, including not withholding an honest statement of desire to repay when able, paying promptly even when bills are small out of regard for those who depend on modest incomes, and teaching children to meet obligations promptly. Paying a poor person's bill promptly is a direct application, since delay may deprive someone in greater need of money that is due.
Ability and resources in hand are to be used to help the poor, the sick and burdened, widows and orphans, and anyone less fortunate rather than passing them by, even to the point of denying oneself a meal to give food to a hungry, destitute person who would otherwise perish when help is within reach. Practical charity of this kind includes giving bedding for a poor family and paying a family's rent to prevent distress, and providing embossed gospel literature for poor blind people as a timely duty of generosity with what one already has. Sharing present truth with neighbors, including offering them books about the faith, and helping people escape spiritual deception and darkness by sharing light and warning of the signs of the present time, are forms of the good due when there is power to provide it.
True friendship is shown by helping when others are in need, and prayer must be joined with action, for praying for someone who needs bread while refusing to share available food is not the right kind of prayer, since practical help is part of answering the prayer. Prompt comfort, friendship, and encouragement are enjoined through timely ordinary acts such as a friendly greeting, pleasant smile, caring word, loving smiles and words of cheer and praise, lifting those crowded with care from despair and leading a friend worn with weary toiling days into pleasant paths. Such kindness comforts those carrying unseen grief and is to be done today without waiting for a grand gesture, since time is short and an opportunity for a loving word may not come again.
Withhold no good that is owed to another when you have the power to give it. The duty is measured by the full extent of that power, requiring no more but accepting no less, so concern must be put into action rather than empty words. What can be done should be done at once and not put off to another day, for delay may keep the deed from ever being done or bring help too late. This forbids failing to pay what is owed or to keep a promise when able, and calls for prompt and honest dealing with creditors even in small bills. It also calls for using means to relieve the poor, the sick and burdened, widows and orphans, and all who are less fortunate, for sharing present light with neighbors in darkness, and for giving timely comfort by kind words, smiles, and friendship.
Meaning and Measure of Duty
Good is not to be held back from those to whom it is due when it lies within the power of the hand to render it. Doing such good is a moral duty grounded in relation to God and to fellow human beings, and not a mere act of kindness. That obligation is enforced by God's law and by Christ's example. His self-denial was sustained by the joy of saving people and of honoring His Father's law.
The measure of the duty is the full extent of one's power to do good, requiring no more than that but accepting no less. Mere feeling of concern is therefore not enough, and care must be put into action rather than answered with empty words while another goes without help. Doing only a little does not meet the duty, and failing to do all one can leaves one accountable in the judgment. Such service is a privilege and a source of joy, sustained by the hope of sharing in Christ's work of saving others and of receiving the promised reward.
Do Good Without Delay
The verse requires giving the good that is due when there is ability to give it, without withholding it or putting it off until another day or a more convenient time. Mere feeling of concern is not enough, and care must be put into action rather than answered with empty words while someone goes without help. It calls for acting at the first opportunity with prompt, considerate help, because delay can prevent a good deed from ever being done. That includes helping those in poverty and easing their sorrow without delay, since waiting may mean the opportunity is lost. Help and encouragement are to be offered now, because those who need them may not be reachable later.
Help, kind words, comfort and encouragement belong to the present opportunity and are to be given at the first chance. Postponing generosity to the sick and poor until some later time may mean never doing it at all. What is put off may come too late because another chance may not come, and someone may suffer without the help. Those needing help and encouragement may not be reachable later if the present moment is let pass. Delay can put kindness beyond reach, for the need may be gone in the coming year, whether it is lifting those crowded with care from despair, leading a dear friend worn with weary toiling days into pleasant paths, or scattering loving smiles and words of cheer and praise to those around.
Timely relief is especially valuable when someone nearby is in need and there is power to help. Aid to a sick, poor person should be delivered at once. Even waiting until morning may prolong hardship and deprive him of a better night's rest.
Practical Duties in Daily Life
Withholding what is owed when there is power to pay is forbidden, and failing to keep a promise or pay a debt despite having the means is sin on the level of stealing or false witness, contrary to true religion and just dealing, and serious enough to warrant church discipline. Duty toward creditors requires honesty and concern, including not withholding an honest statement of desire to repay when able, paying promptly even when bills are small out of regard for those who depend on modest incomes, and teaching children to meet obligations promptly. Paying a poor person's bill promptly is a direct application, since delay may deprive someone in greater need of money that is due.
Ability and resources in hand are to be used to help the poor, the sick and burdened, widows and orphans, and anyone less fortunate rather than passing them by, even to the point of denying oneself a meal to give food to a hungry, destitute person who would otherwise perish when help is within reach. Practical charity of this kind includes giving bedding for a poor family and paying a family's rent to prevent distress, and providing embossed gospel literature for poor blind people as a timely duty of generosity with what one already has. Sharing present truth with neighbors, including offering them books about the faith, and helping people escape spiritual deception and darkness by sharing light and warning of the signs of the present time, are forms of the good due when there is power to provide it.
True friendship is shown by helping when others are in need, and prayer must be joined with action, for praying for someone who needs bread while refusing to share available food is not the right kind of prayer, since practical help is part of answering the prayer. Prompt comfort, friendship, and encouragement are enjoined through timely ordinary acts such as a friendly greeting, pleasant smile, caring word, loving smiles and words of cheer and praise, lifting those crowded with care from despair and leading a friend worn with weary toiling days into pleasant paths. Such kindness comforts those carrying unseen grief and is to be done today without waiting for a grand gesture, since time is short and an opportunity for a loving word may not come again.