Thoughts for another day

July 30, 2009

Today's verse: Pro. 3:27. Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

I have always felt that one should do what one can to alleviate the sufferings of others. When I say this, my conscience is pricked with guilt because many times I have shirked from doing the good I could do but didn’t do. Catholics term it the sin of omission and this sin is also as much sin as doing something wrong is. The world and its ways don’t cognize it, but in the kingdom of God it’s a serious matter which is why when Jesus talks of Lazarus and the rich man, He says the rich man went to hell (Lk. 16: 19 – 31). Now it is obvious why he went to hell: Because although Lazarus sat at his gate longing to eat what fell from his table, we can infer he didn’t get anything.

Jesus never refused to do good, even at the cost of His own life. Why did He cure on the Sabbath? Because the kingdom of God dictated that when you see someone in distress, you help immediately, not wait for an opportune moment. That’s the writ of God and Jesus as Man was subject to it and He obeyed it. However much our consciences may be pricked; and even our resorting to excuses and rationalizing, the fact of the matter is that our Lord and Master did it and we are bound to do it if we want to be His followers. James clearly says, that faith has to be found in action without which it is no faith; in fact it is dead. Even to the point where James impresses that a man who acts, demonstrates his faith in his actions (James 2:14-18).

Coming to our verse today, how appropriately the Word of God tells us to do that which is good to others when it’s in our power to do it. My friend, heed this, the Word of God and go give that beggar with the open palm the coin you were always withholding and rationalizing about. Go give your neighbor that meal which he or she can’t afford and then experience the joy of the Kingdom. Besides, remember, each day we too go to God with our palms open, asking, asking and asking. If we don’t give the simple things to those who ask, how can we expect God to give us that which we ask?