Scripture of the day: Proverbs 3:27-28
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor,"Come back later; I'll give it to you tomorrow" -- when you have it with you.
This advice is so practical and well, so nice! The "niceness" comes in two forms. I wish that I provided these "good services" as often as I can, but sadly, I often fall short. Here's my ideal thoughts on how it should go though!
1) When you have the chance to do something for someone - do it! This comes usually in small things. Perhaps you could let the person behind you at the store who has two items compared to your full cart go first. Maybe you could open the door for the mom scrambling with a child in each arm. Say something nice to the next cashier's lane you go through - even if they are not the friendliest person in the world - you don't know the kind of day they are having. Offer to watch a friends children, or pets, for free so they can spend some quality time together without added expense. You get the idea, I'm sure!
2) If someone asks you for help and you CAN do it, do it! I think this applies even if they don't ask, but you know that there is a need. That means the homeless person who asks for your change, giving to the Salvation Army bins (even if it's pennies - they add up!), and even helping someone with a big thing if you can afford it. A friend may be hurting financially and need groceries for the week - if you can provide that (even if they don't ask) - do it. When you are at the store and see a donation box for toys or food or coats, purchase one if you can.
Giving isn't always supposed to be easy. Sometimes it hurts. But even if you hurt financially for a couple of days, you may have helped someone out for much longer than that by doing one simple service.
And please, if you can help someone, don't say no just because it isn't convenient to do something at the time. Sometimes "later" is a code word for "not at all." Not because our intentions aren't good, but because things come up and we forget about the help that was requested. That is why the Proverb tells us not to say "come back later" when you actually have it now. To end with one of my favorite lines from a VeggieTales movie, "Sometimes not helping is the same as hurting someone."
Let's get out there and do some good! :)
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor,"Come back later; I'll give it to you tomorrow" -- when you have it with you.
This advice is so practical and well, so nice! The "niceness" comes in two forms. I wish that I provided these "good services" as often as I can, but sadly, I often fall short. Here's my ideal thoughts on how it should go though!
1) When you have the chance to do something for someone - do it! This comes usually in small things. Perhaps you could let the person behind you at the store who has two items compared to your full cart go first. Maybe you could open the door for the mom scrambling with a child in each arm. Say something nice to the next cashier's lane you go through - even if they are not the friendliest person in the world - you don't know the kind of day they are having. Offer to watch a friends children, or pets, for free so they can spend some quality time together without added expense. You get the idea, I'm sure!
2) If someone asks you for help and you CAN do it, do it! I think this applies even if they don't ask, but you know that there is a need. That means the homeless person who asks for your change, giving to the Salvation Army bins (even if it's pennies - they add up!), and even helping someone with a big thing if you can afford it. A friend may be hurting financially and need groceries for the week - if you can provide that (even if they don't ask) - do it. When you are at the store and see a donation box for toys or food or coats, purchase one if you can.
Giving isn't always supposed to be easy. Sometimes it hurts. But even if you hurt financially for a couple of days, you may have helped someone out for much longer than that by doing one simple service.
And please, if you can help someone, don't say no just because it isn't convenient to do something at the time. Sometimes "later" is a code word for "not at all." Not because our intentions aren't good, but because things come up and we forget about the help that was requested. That is why the Proverb tells us not to say "come back later" when you actually have it now. To end with one of my favorite lines from a VeggieTales movie, "Sometimes not helping is the same as hurting someone."
Let's get out there and do some good! :)
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