A Word from the Word

Give Quickly

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 tomorrow” – when you now have it with you.     NIV

Those are words of very practical wisdom. There’s a proverb in the Latin language. If I quote it to you in Latin, probably most of you wouldn’t understand. But it’s very brief. It says, Bis dat qui cito dat, which means, “He gives twice who gives quickly.” What wisdom there is in that! When a person is in need and you have the ability to supply that need and the person is worthy of your help, don’t hesitate, don’t wait, don’t hold back. If you give quickly, it’s like giving twice. If you keep them waiting and frustrate them, then your gift will not really be blessed the way it should be blessed.

So don’t withhold that which is good for those who deserve it. Don’t say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow,” when you have it with you. There’s a kind of stinginess, there’s a kind of lack of total honesty there which somehow spoils the act of giving.

Remember that, “He gives twice who gives quickly.” Next time you have the opportunity to give, don’t hold back, don’t hesitate, and don’t do a lot of mental calculation, just respond to the need of your neighbor and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Give without hesitation. Give without any reservation. Just give freely, because as you give God will give back to you.