What does Proverbs 3:27-28 mean?
"Proverbs 3:27-28: Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee." - Proverbs 3:27-28

Proverbs 3:27-28 in the King James Version of the Bible says, "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee." This verse is part of a collection of poems and sayings attributed to King Solomon, the wise and wealthy king of Israel. The book of Proverbs is known for its practical wisdom and advice on how to live a righteous and prosperous life.
The themes of Proverbs 3:27-28 revolve around justice, generosity, and honesty. The verses call upon the reader to act justly and generously towards others, particularly those who are deserving. It encourages the reader to not withhold good or fair treatment from those to whom it is due, especially if they have the ability to provide it. The verses also caution against making empty promises or delaying help or assistance to a person in need when it is within one's means to provide it.
The context of these verses is rooted in the ancient Israelite society in which justice, fairness, and generosity were highly valued. The Israelites were given commandments and laws by God that emphasized the importance of treating others justly and caring for the less fortunate. The verses in Proverbs reflect this cultural and religious background, urging people to act in accordance with these principles.
At a deeper level, these verses also carry a spiritual significance. The idea of withholding good from others when it is within one's power resonates with the concept of stewardship and the responsibility to use one's blessings and resources to benefit others. In Christian theology, believers are called to be good stewards of their God-given gifts and to use them for the welfare of others. This can be understood as an expression of love and gratitude towards God, who has provided these blessings.
The words of Proverbs 3:27-28 are also reflective of the principle of sowing and reaping, which is prevalent throughout the Bible. The verses suggest that by doing good and being generous to others, one will ultimately receive good in return. This echoes Jesus' teaching in the New Testament, "Give, and it will be given to you" (Luke 6:38), emphasizing the reciprocal nature of generosity and the blessings that come from giving to others.
Symbolically, the verses can also be interpreted as a reflection of the character of God. Throughout the Bible, God is portrayed as just, generous, and faithful. The exhortation to do good to others, especially when it is within one's power, mirrors the nature of God as a benevolent and gracious provider. Additionally, the warning against delaying help or making empty promises aligns with the concept of God's faithfulness and the trustworthiness of His word.
In summary, Proverbs 3:27-28 carries a message of justice, generosity, and honesty, rooted in the cultural, religious, and moral values of ancient Israelite society. It encourages the reader to act justly and generously towards others, to not withhold good when it is within one's means to provide it, and to be honest and reliable in their dealings with others. At a deeper level, these verses also reflect spiritual principles of stewardship, sowing and reaping, and the character of God. Overall, Proverbs 3:27-28 offers timeless wisdom and guidance for living a righteous and fulfilling life.
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Proverbs 3:27-28 Artwork
Proverbs 3:27-28 - "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go away; come back and I’ll give it tomorrow”—when you already have it with you."
"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go away; come back and I’ll give it tomorrow”—when you already have it with you." - Proverbs 3:27-28
Proverbs 17:27-28
Proverbs 17:27-28
Proverbs 17:27-28
Proverbs 28:27 - "He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse."
Proverbs 28:3 - "A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food."
Proverbs 27:3 - "A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both."
Proverbs 3:27 - "¶ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it."
Proverbs 3:28 - "Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee."
"He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse." - Proverbs 28:27
"A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food." - Proverbs 28:3
"A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both." - Proverbs 27:3
Proverbs:31:28
Proverbs 27:17
Proverbs 27:17
Proverbs 27:16
"¶ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it." - Proverbs 3:27
Proverbs 28:28 - "When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase."
Exodus 23:27-28
Proverbs 7:26-27
Luke 13:28-27
Luke 13:28-27
Luke 13:28-27
Proverbs 27:27 - "And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens."
"Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee." - Proverbs 3:28
Proverbs 12:28 - "In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death."
Proverbs 27:26 - "The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field."
Proverbs 27:6 - "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."
Proverbs 27:5 - "Open rebuke is better than secret love."