Proverbs 3:27–28 - Help. Today.

“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, 'Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.'” (Proverbs 3:27–28, New Living Translation, 2015)

What excuses might hold us back from doing good to someone when we're able to?

We might twist the intent of the verse and respond, "They don't really deserve my help." But what do we ourselves have that we haven't received from a gracious God who gives to us when we were undeserving? (Lk 10:29-37; Rom 5:6-8, 1 Cor 4:7)

Here are some other excuses I've used at one point or another:
"It's too early / too late ... just not the right time."
"There are more pressing matters at the moment."
"They've never done me any good."
"They've actually done me some harm in the past."
"I'm going to save my energy and resources for something more worthwhile."
"I won't get a tax receipt for this."
"If I do them a favor, they're going to expect even more from me."

Sometimes helping others will have a larger price tag: time, money, and cost us comfort... like going on a missions trip. If something is important enough, though, we work for it and save money for it.

Or it may be something quite simple, like collecting cans for the Beecin Foundation. I was working as a hospice chaplain for quite a while when I realized I was collecting my own cans just to get the five cent refund on each one. I wasn't rationalizing, I just wasn't thinking! I wasn't looking for another way to help someone else. Why not drop them off at one of the local chain-link cages for the sake of hospice patients? It can fill a gap for patients that need things not covered by insurance or Medicare.

God, Shut our mouths when we're about to tell someone, "Wait until tomorrow and then I'll help you." Show us who we can help today, even before they have to ask for it. In Jesus' name, Amen.