Proverbs 3:28
Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
Proverbs 3:28
Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. This proverb condemns procrastination in meeting others’ needs. It addresses everyday social friction: a neighbor asks for help today, and you defer, assuming you’ll have more later. In agrarian economies, timely assistance could be essential for daily life, and delaying aid could push someone into hardship. The verse sits among admonitions about doing good promptly (Proverbs 3:27) and resisting deceit or broken promises. The cultural value is reliability and communal reciprocity—people depend on each other, and promises reflect character. The verse also warns against the “slippery slope” of delaying kindness, which can erode trust and social harmony.
Theologically, this verse links righteousness to truth-telling and faithful stewardship of one’s resources and time. It echoes God’s own faithfulness—He provides in the moment of need when we act with integrity. When we delay giving, we risk undermining the lived witness of love in the community. The verse fosters a practical ethics of immediacy in benevolence, reflecting Jesus’ teaching to love one’s neighbor in tangible ways. It reminds believers that kindness should be both genuine and timely, not transactional but sincere and prompt.
Practically, resist the urge to postpose generosity. If a colleague asks for a loan or assistance today, assess honestly and, if possible, provide what you can now rather than promising later. In households, avoid making promises you can’t keep; if you need to borrow supplies, communicate a realistic timeline. Community groups and churches can model this by having a simple process: if someone asks for help within a given window, respond with a clear yes or no and a concrete timeframe. The goal is to cultivate trust through reliability. By practicing prompt generosity, you strengthen community bonds and reflect God’s character in everyday interactions.
Cross-References: Deuteronomy 15:11; Luke 11:8; James 4:13-15; Matthew 5:37