Devotions/Partners

Proverbs 3:27-28 (KJV): “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 tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.” 

COMMENTARY: God wants His people to be free of covetousness, free of hoarding, free of clinging to material possessions for security. He wants us to be free to give. Free to live with integrity. Free to honor our commitments. Free to do good!

APPLICATION: In running my business for decades, this verse in Proverbs has been at the core of our Accounts Payable policy. We do not play the cash flow game that many businesses play. When we make a purchase, we agree to our suppliers’ terms and honor them. If we foresee a bump in our cash flow, we tap our bank line of credit or ask suppliers if we can have some breathing room. Through the good times and bad, every supplier has been paid every cent. If we say the check is in the mail, it is.

What about your Accounts Payable policy? Do you let your payments slide so you can earn more interest on the money? Do you use your suppliers as unofficial bankers and loan officers? Do you tell suppliers the check is in the mail, when it isn’t? Does the squeaky wheel get the grease, while your patient suppliers get left waiting? Pay your bills on time, and God will bless your integrity and your testimony. 

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Proverbs 5:21-22 (KJV)，read Proverbs and Work from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.