Observation: Like most of the Book of Proverbs, this is kind of a potpourri of ethical advice. What grabs me about this passage are the two proverbs about not withholding good from others, nor putting it off if you can do it now.
Application: Pictured above is Bilbo Baggins, patron saint of comfy introverts....In other words, of guys like me! He comes from a culture that values comfort:good food, a nice fire in your little hole in a hill, and above all, NOT rocking the boat. It's not until Gandalf and a dozen rowdy dwarves descend upon his home, that he's brought out of his shell, to use his gifts for a greater good.
Sometimes God shows up in a similar way: invading our comfort and peace, asking us why NOW isn't a good time to do the good we have promised ourselves, and God, we would do. If we have time now, why aren't we calling the friend who we know could use a listening ear? If we have a few dollars now, what is keeping us from donating to an organization we know is doing good in the world? If we have a little freedom now, what's to keep us from taking the first step on the journey of Discipleship to which we know Jesus is calling us? Our inner "Bilbo Baggins" will always have a hundred excuses, reasons why we would be so much more comfortable and happy sticking with our routine in our spiritual "Hobbit holes." But when we listen to them all objectively, does any of them really hold up when it's God who is calling?
Prayer: God, melt away our lame excuses, and remind us that anything worth doing for you is worth starting today. Amen.
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