Withholding Goodness

Day Six

Withholding Goodness (Read Proverbs 3:25-34)

Today, our reading shines a spotlight of wisdom on our ability to love and serve our neighbors and our tendency to covet the lifestyles and possessions of those living for their own self-interest.

On a scale of 1-10, how would you grade yourself when providing love and service to those who need it? How would others grade you? How would a neighbor grade you? How would God grade you? What do you think?

God's wisdom tells us never to withhold goodness from our neighbors. He blows up our justifications and rationalizations for doing so when He says, don't withhold goodness today by promising to offer it tomorrow. Now is the time to die to your own self-interest and love your neighbor as yourself. Not because they deserve it but because they need it and they trust you, or at least they should.

Materialism, individualism, consumerism, and secularism are dominant trends among people, especially in the West. Many people's lives are driven by seeking affirmation from others and coveting what others have, especially those who live for themselves and reject God's wisdom. God says, "STOP IT." There is no wisdom in that behavior. Seek God first and foremost; all your needs will be provided, and then some. Living only for oneself angers a person, and it never pleases God.

27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them.

28 If you can help your neighbor now, don't say, "Come back tomorrow, and then I'll help you."

31 Don't envy violent people or copy their ways.

32 Such wicked people are detestable to the LORD, but he offers his friendship to the godly.

What will you do today to love and serve your neighbor? What will it take to be content with what God has blessed you with? Living a life of love and service is imperative to stay connected firmly with God. Love-Serve-Connect.