OUR HANDS – GOD’S HELPING HAND

“Never walk away from someone who deserves HELP; YOUR HAND is GOD’S HAND for that person” – Proverbs 3:27

By Divine Design, OUR HANDS are GOD’S HELPING HAND: “Never walk away from someone who deserves HELP; YOUR HAND is GOD’S HAND for that person” (Pro.3:27, Message). The New King James version says: “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the POWER of YOUR HAND to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,” when you have it with you” (vv.27-28). We must be generous to others when it’s in the POWER of our HAND to do so.

In this text, Solomon presents a series of “Do Not” sayings. First, “Do not be afraid of sudden terror…”  (v.25). Second, “Do not withhold good…” (v.27). Third, “Do not say to your neighbour, “Go, and come back…” (v.28). Fourth, “Do not devise evil against your neighbour” (v.29). Fifth, “Do not strive with a man without cause…” (v.30). Sixth, “Do not envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways” (v.31).

Two of these injunctions constitute God’s Call to generosity, caring, sharing, help, and benevolence. Whatever it is that God has graciously blessed us with should be shared with others because this aligns with God’s own character, and what He expects and commands of us. He desires that we be a blessing to others when He has provided us the opportunity and resources to do so. As humans we have no problem with receiving, it is only in giving. But our Lord Jesus Christ in encouraging Believers to help and support the weak, says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). God is calling us to move from a place of selfishness and stinginess to being a blessing with what He has given us to help those who need and deserve our help. The question is: Who deserves my help?

God’s Word is explicit about the poor, needy, orphans, and widows (Exo.22:22; Psa.82:3; Pro.14:21,31; 22:9; 31: 8-9; Isa.1;17; Zech.7: 9-10; Jam.1:27, 2:14-17). If the opportunity to help someone is put before us by God, we’ll have no doubt that it’s deserved. It would be disobedience to ignore the leading of the Holy Spirit as He witnesses to our heart to be a blessing or provide a helping hand to someone. Generosity that is orchestrated or directed by God involves wisdom, discernment, prayer, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. God doesn’t expect us to see everything He sees, but if we have a heart, desire or willingness to help, He will safeguard us from being cheated, duped, or becoming vulnerable victims of deception. We would know when He is leading, as we willingly respond with cheerful hearts. We should not allow our past experiences with those who are not deserving to cause us to deny those whom the Holy Spirit instructs us to help.

In order for this Call to Generosity to be effectual, we must have the OPPORTUNITY as well as the CAPACITY to render support. If we have both ingredients, but withhold doing good, we are not following wisdom. However, doing good or rendering help not only applies to the poor, needy, orphans, and widows, but also to ministers of the Gospel who labour daily with the Word of God to give hope and encouragement, and feed His people: “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (1Tim.5:18b). If we are good to anyone, it should at least be to those who are of the household of faith: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal.6:10).

Matthew 5:16 commands, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." I have decided: By God's Grace, I must never ignore or walk away from someone in need of help, espcially if it's in the power of my hand to do so. My hand is God's Hand for that person! I must never hoard help, because God never does!