Proverbs 3:19-35

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,’ when you have it with you.” (Proverbs 3:27–28, NKJV)

Albert Einstein said, “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” We are surrounded by opportunities. But the window of opportunity always shuts. The challenge is to seize the opportunity of a lifetime within the lifetime of the opportunity. We can do good to others. We can make a difference, and often it doesn’t require a huge number of resources.

“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’” (Matthew 25:34–36, NKJV)

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to visit a ghetto in Kampala, Uganda. We walked down a hill alongside a muddy and smelly ditch where the water moved slowly. I saw people dumping their wastewater in the ditch. There were many children. I met one child (probably about 12 years old) who lived with six siblings, her mother and grandmother in a small brick home that was probably about 200 square feet. About forty of the mothers gathered with their small children to listen to the gospel and to receive gift bags with soap and sugar. We also prayed with those who wanted prayer. There were both Christians and Muslims, but compassion transcends all barriers.

Admittedly, at times I have been too slow to respond to human need. Often it is a judgmental spirit that hinders me. But as one pastor on our trip said: “We do the loving; God does the judging.” Yes, we should be discerning, but we must not allow our judgments to hinder us from doing good when it is within our power to do so. The same opportunity to demonstrate compassion won’t be there tomorrow.