Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.  (28)  Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. 

Proverbs 3:27-28 

Explanation:

In our country, even in the most difficult of times, there are levels of prosperity the likes of which our current world and the world of history have never known.  We truly live in abundance.

At the same time, there are those in our world who have a need.   Their greatest need is to know Christ as Savior.  They have other urgent needs that may keep them from looking into their greatest need.  The urgent needs may be so pressing that their greatest need gets overlooked by them and by others.

Solomon infers that the way of wisdom is the way of generosity.  He tells his son in these verses to help those in need if it is in his power to help.  He tells him not to put off generosity for tomorrow if there is a need for today.  If there is a need today, and you can wisely fulfill that need today, then give generously today.

Application:

My mom often has quoted this verse to me, and it is applicable here: 

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.   

James 4:17

Believers in Christ, and dare I say American believers in Christ, should be world renown for their incredible and sacrificial generosity.  There was a group of people in the Bible who had become known for their overwhelming generosity:

(1) Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;  (2)  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.  (3)  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;  (4)  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 

2 Corinthians 8:1-4 

May our churches be known for their incredible generosity, especially as concerns Gospel proclamation.  Let us be generous with the Gospel, with our money, with our time, and with our resources.  This is the way of wisdom.

Response:

Find a way to be generous today.