Proverbs 3:28
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Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
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A delay can turn charity into cruelty and debt into theft! If you can help a person today, do not wait even one day! Help him today! Do not promise to help or pay in the future. Love will help now! If you owe any one today and can pay, do not wait until tomorrow! Clear the obligation! Pay the debt! The previous proverb condemned refusing to pay; this proverb condemns delaying to pay. Godly men pay in full, and they pay promptly!
Bless the God of heaven! His rules for wisdom and success extend even to cash flow and the prompt payment of obligations and charitable gifts. There are good reasons for paying today rather than tomorrow. You may never live to see tomorrow (27:1). You may lose the cash or assets you presently have (23:5). And you cause a poor man or creditor to live another day of grief (Jas 2:15-16; 5:1-5). A little when needed is better than more later!
This godly rule applies to bills, debts, dues, wages, taxes, charity, family support, giving, and any similar obligations. If you owe anyone or could help anyone, and you have the money, you should aggressively pay today. The Law of Moses required that day laborers be paid their wages every day and that the poor have security deposits returned to them at night (Lev 19:13; Deut 24:12-15). The God of heaven cares about details. Beware!
The due date on a bill or loan payment is when it is due. Get it? The grace period is the days a creditor will let you steal before seeking to put you in jail! You do not have a Christian right to the grace period! Pay your bills before the due date! When you employ anyone for wages, whether to cut your grass, repair your car, or watch your children, pay them that day! God will be honored, your reputation enhanced, and the party thrilled.
God cares for the poor. He expects you to care for them, when they have a real need, and you can help. Talk is cheap and does no good (Jas 2:15-16; I John 3:17-18). Performance counts (II Cor 8:11). Giving to the poor is lending to the Lord (19:17); it proves eternal life (I John 3:11-24); and it ought to be done as soon as a need is detected. Jesus Christ expects the rich to be ready to give, and He greatly rewards them for it (I Tim 6:17-19).
A good rule for life is to pay bills and obligations as soon as they are incurred, or when they arrive in the mail. This creates financial freedom, and you are always ahead for the unexpected emergency. Living from check to check, from bill to bill, is masochistic folly.
When a neighbor needs something, get it for him as soon as possible. You can put joy in his heart by a fast response. It has been said, "He gives twice who gives speedily." Do it!
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