Bridges on Proverbs 3:27-28
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 3:27-28
 
 1-2 
 3-4 
 5-6 
 7-8 
 9-10 
 11-12 
 13-15 
 16-18 
 19-20 
 21-22 
 23-26 
 27-28 
 29-30 
 31-32 
 33 
 34 
 35 
 
27.   ¶ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. {them...: Heb. the owners thereof} 28. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
 
The wise man now comes to practical points. He shows the fruit of selfishnessnbsp;— withholding dues. Many are the forms of this dishonesty — borrowing without payment (Psalm 37:21.), evading the taxes;† “keeping back the labourer's hire.” (James 5:4. Jeremiah 22:13-17. Compare Genesis 31:7; Deuteronomy 24:14, 15.) But the rule probes deeper than this surface. If we have no legal debt to any, we have a Gospel debt to all. (Romans 13:8.) Even the poor is bound by this universal law to his poorer neighbour. (Ephesians 4:28. Compare 2 Corinthians 8:1-3.) Every one has a claim upon our love. (Compare Luke 10:29-37.) Every opportunity of doing good is our call to do so. Our neighbours are the real owners of our good. (Margin). The Lord of all has transferred his right to them, with a special reference to “his own brethren.” (Galatians 6:10. Mark 9:41. Matthew 25:31-40.) Kindness is therefore a matter, not of option, but of obligation; an act of justice no less than of mercy. Not indeed that it may be demanded by our fellow-men. But the obligation lies upon conscience; and to withhold the due will be our eternal condemnation. (Matthew 25:41-45. Compare Deuteronomy 23:3, 4.)
Christian benevolence will also do good in the kindest manner. Delay is an offense against the law of love. Too often the cold repulse — Go, and come again — is a cover for selfishness. There is a secret hope that the matter will be forgotten, dropped, or taken up by some other party. Often an application is put off from mere thoughtlessness. We have it by us.† But it does not just now suit our convenience. This is a serious injury to the applicant. A little given in time of need is more than a larger sum when the time is gone by. We should cultivate a quick sensibility of the wants and sufferings of others; putting ourselves as much as possible in their place; not only “doing good,” but “ready to every good work.” (Titus 3:1. 1 Timothy 6:18.) If we are to “do justly” — which sometimes (as in the punishment of criminals) may be our sorrow; we are like our gracious God (Micah 7:18), to love mercy (Ib. 6:8. Compare Romans 12:8; 2 Corinthians 9:7); seizing the present, perhaps the only (Chapter 27:1. Galatians 6:10), opportunity; rather anticipating the need than wantonly or thoughtlessly delaying to relieve it. (2 Corinthians 8:10.) The Gospel presents every neighbour before us as a brother or sister needing our help, and to be loved and cared for “as ourselves.” (Leviticus 19:18.) Why do we not more readily acknowledge this standard? The Lord raise us from our selfishness, and mold us to his own image of mercy and love!†
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Psalm 37:21
21 ¶ The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
 
 
Footnote:
The example and admonition of Christ are evidently directed against this iniquity. Matthew 17:24-27; 22:15-21.
 
 
Matthew 17:24-27
24 ¶ And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? {tribute: called in the original, didrachma, being in value fifteen pence sterling; about thirty seven cents} 25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. {a piece...: or, a stater: it is half an ounce of silver, in value two shillings and six pence, sterling; about fifty five cents}
 
Matthew 22:15-21
15 ¶ Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. {penny: in value seven pence halfpenny} 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? {superscription: or, inscription} 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
James 5:4
4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. {sabaoth: Heb. hosts}
 
Jeremiah 22:13-17
13 Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work; 14 That saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is cieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion. {large: Heb. through-aired} {windows: or, my windows} 15 Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him? 16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD. 17 But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it. {violence: or, incursion}
 
Genesis 31:7
7 And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.
 
Deuteronomy 24:14, 15
14 ¶ Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates: 15 At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee. {setteth...: Heb. lifteth his soul unto it}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Romans 13:8
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
 
 
Ephesians 4:28
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. {to give: or, to distribute}
 
Compare
2 Corinthians 8:1-3
1 ¶ Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. {liberality: Gr. simplicity} 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
 
 
Luke 10:29-37
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
 
 
Proverbs 3:27, Margin:
 
27 ¶ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. {them...: Heb. the owners thereof}
 
 
Galatians 6:10
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
 
Mark 9:41
41 ¶ For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
 
Matthew 25:31-40
31 ¶ When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
 
 
Matthew 25:41-45
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
 
Compare
Deuteronomy 23:3, 4
3 An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever: 4 Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.
 
 
Job 22:9
9 Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.
 
with
Job 31:16
16 ¶ If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;
 
James 2:15, 16
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 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?
 
 
Titus 3:1
1 ¶ Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
 
1 Timothy 6:18
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; {willing...: or, sociable}
 
 
Micah 7:18
18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
 
 
Micah 6:8
8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? {walk...: Heb. humble thyself to walk}
 
Romans 12:8
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. {giveth: or, imparteth} {with simplicity: or, liberally}
 
2 Corinthians 9:7
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
 
 
Proverbs 27:1
1 ¶ Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. {to...: Heb. to morrow day}
 
Galatians 6:10
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
 
 
2 Corinthians 8:10
10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. {forward: Gr. willing}
 
 
Leviticus 19:18
18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
 
 
Footnote:
Dr. South's caustic application may be wholesome probing — ‘Was ever the hungry fed, or the naked clothed, with good looks or fair speeches? These are but thin garments to keep out the cold, and but a slender repast to conjure down the rage of a craving appetite. My enemy, perhaps, is ready to starve; and I tell him I am heartily glad to see him, and should be very ready to serve him. But still my hand is closed, and my purse shut. I neither bring him to my table, nor lodge him under my roof. He asks for bread, and I give him a compliment — a thing indeed not so hard as a stone, but altogether as dry. I treat him with art and outside and lastly, at parting, with all the ceremonial of dearness, I shake him by the hand, but put nothing into it. I play with his distress, and daily with that which was not to be dallied with — want, and misery, and a clamorous necessity.’ — Sermon on Matthew 5:44.
 
 
Matthew 5:44
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;