Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it (Proverbs 3:27).

Solomon, the wisest of all people in the history of all peoples, wrote down many of his most thoughtful sayings in the book of Proverbs. I find them as challenging and applicable to the way I live as any modern philosophical opinion.

For instance, I usually think of a sinful act as something that I choose to do. I might decide to lie to my wife, or short the tax man, or yell at a stranger who cuts across my path. Sins of commission—ways I’ve acted or thought that displease the Lord and violate His scriptures—rear up daily for me. But Solomon’s not addressing those types of sin here.

The man of wisdom points out that I also hurt others by doing nothing, by choosing not to notice, by averting my eyes. Instead of moving toward a person who needs help, I hang back, usually due to excuses about time or getting involved or being misunderstood. These reflect sins of omission—failures to act.

Mostly, no one else knows notices when I’ve withheld good from someone else. A sly sinner, I glide through life with my head down, minding my own business. Like the religious folks in the story Jesus told about the Good Samaritan, I tend to cross the road to avoid the hassle, rather than kneel down and see if I can help.

This dichotomy requires a new set of lenses to see the world. For me, at my stage and place in life, while I hope to help people flourish and grow, I’m tempted to hold back. It’s easier to stay in my lane—fewer hassles, less misunderstandings, no accusations. But I possess power to do good, and I’m not looking to withhold it.

Maybe you’re like me, wondering what the Lord has in mind for you in light of this verse? In a world filled with needs, it’s hard to know where to start. Join me as I pray for wisdom and clarity in directing the little bit of good I possess toward those in my path.

Proverbs 3 in week twenty-three of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Josh Calabrese

In his letter to the Roman church, Paul wrote several lines I cling to during times of struggle—words held close ever since Paul’s letter first echoed across that group of original Jesus followers.

Paul first asks, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Then he answers with a list of items that cannot separate us: tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword, death, life, angels, rulers, things present, things to come, powers, height, depth, or anything else in all creation.

Pretty exhaustive list, none of which separates us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul, the theologian, never shied away from specific instructions and details. He could argue minutiae with anyone. But in this case he’s broad – nothing in all creation can separate a follower of Jesus from the love of Christ.

But notice Paul’s specificity. He mentioned God’s elect. A distinct group of people. Then he reminds his readers of the importance of Christ Jesus our Lord. Paul referred to those who choose to follow Jesus, who made Jesus their Lord. His promise didn’t extend to those who reject Jesus or only merely dabble with religion.

Broad on the hopeful message, specific to whom it applies. Paul left little to doubt.

And doubtless this passage will be read, and prayed over, and memorized until Jesus finally returns and removes any question of separation ever again.

Romans 8:35-39 in week twenty-two of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Simon Rae

The writers from old tell us that God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore (I Kings 4).

Solomon’s famed wisdom surpassed all the wisdom of the east, and all the wisdom of Egypt. In fact, his wisdom overwhelmed that of Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol.

Wait – who were those guys?

All wise dudes. Ethan the Ezrahite wrote Psalm 89, while Heman penned Psalm 88. Certainly names I should remember, as authors of scripture. The sagacity of Calcol and Darda faded from memory long ago, but no matter, Solomon surpassed them as well.

God gave Solomon unbelievable wisdom, and wonderfully, I hold in my hands much of what he wrote in his sections of the Old Testament. The insights from the wisest mind to ever walk the planet rest on my shelf.

Which does me no good, of course, until I prove myself wise, crack open the good book, and see for myself.

1 Kings 4 in week twenty-two of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Cliff Johnson

As Solomon established his kingship, nagging problems lapped over from the previous reign, specifically in the form of people disloyal to his father. These men deserved death, and looked to remain a thorn for Solomon in coming years.

So Solomon turned to Benaiah. One of King David’s mighty men, Benaiah proved himself as a powerful warrior, even climbing down into a pit on a snowy day to kill a lion. Certainly a guy who knew how to handle a himself in a fight.

Solomon first dispatched Benaiah to snuff out Adonijah, Solomon’s half-brother, who coveted the throne for himself, despite the plan of succession laid out by David. Next, Benaiah settled old scores with Joab, for his murders of Abner and Amasa. Finally, Shimei received a visit from Beneaiah, getting his due for cursing David when he fled from Absalom.

My bad choices, my old sins, usually find me out. We reap what we sow. In these situations where Benaiah worked, I see dramatic examples of sowing and then reaping. To oppose kings with violence often led to violent reprisals, and the men who died at the hand of Benaiah understood this principle as they grasped for power.

But no grasping for Benaiah. He served his kings loyally and without question. He accepted dirty jobs and saw them through to the end. Benaiah fixed problems.

A frightening, yet incredibly valuable, man in the king’s service.

1 Kings 2 in week twenty-two of reading the Bible cover to cover

Benaiah, depicted killing a man of Moab by William Etty 1829