Proverbs 3:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.

NIV: Do not say to your neighbor, 'Come back tomorrow and I'll give it to you'-- when you already have it with you.

NASB: Do not say to your neighbor, 'Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it to you,' When you have it with you.

CSB: Don't say to your neighbor, "Go away! Come back later. I'll give it tomorrow"--when it is there with you.

NLT: If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, 'Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.'

KJV: Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

NKJV: Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you.

In this verse Solomon endorses both charity and transparency. This comment flows naturally from the prior verse, which forbids someone to "withhold good" from those to whom it is due. Doing good for others—especially when it's something expected or owed—is not to be delayed. The imagery used here also suggests someone coming with a request for help. Saying "come back later," when help is available now, is stubborn and dishonest. In the New Testament, James evokes this same idea, condemning the practice of offering words to the poor without backing them up with charitable giving (James 2:15–16).

Further context for this approach comes from other scriptural commands about helping one's neighbors. The Lord instructed Israel not to reap their fields right up to the edge but to leave some of the harvest for the poor and the sojourner (Leviticus 23:22). Being a devout Israelite, farmer Boaz observed this injunction and gave instructions to his laborers to let the widow Ruth glean "even among the sheaves" (Ruth 2:15). Ezekiel 18:12 condemns the person who "oppresses the poor and needy."

The early church diligently cared for the poor. At Pentecost the believers sold their possessions and belongings and distributed the proceeds to the needy (Acts 2:45). The needy at the time were Jews from foreign countries who had come to observe the Feast of Pentecost and had become believers in Jesus. Far from home, they had no means of support. Later, in a time of famine, the apostle Paul initiated an offering for the poor (1 Corinthians 16:1–4; 2 Corinthians 9:1–2).

Proverbs 3:27–35 gives general principles about our relationships, both with other people and with God. Solomon instructs the reader to show honor, integrity, trustworthiness, peace, and contentment towards others. This passage also contrasts the response of God to those who defy His will, versus His actions towards those who honor Him.

This chapter of Proverbs is addressed to Solomon's son. The term, ''my son'' occurs 15 times in chapters 1—7. The words may apply to one of Solomon's students in his court or to one of his biological sons. The application of wisdom in Proverbs 3 shows the benefits of trusting in the Lord with one's whole heart. Solomon credits obedience to and trust in God for longevity, success, guidance, health, reward that exceeds monetary wealth, enjoyment, peace, security, confidence, excellent human relationships, the Lord's blessing and favor, and honor. As with all ''proverbs,'' biblical or otherwise, their purpose is to impart general wisdom, not absolute prophecy. Like the original audience, modern readers are not expected to see these guidelines as absolute guarantees for any one person.

This passage lies in the second section of the book, found in chapters 1—9. The author, King Solomon, reigned over Israel from 971 to 931 BC. The first section of Proverbs, the preface, is found in Proverbs 1:1–7. The third section, chapters 10—22, were also written by Solomon. These proverbs were likely written by Solomon in his middle years, whereas he probably wrote Song of Songs in his early adulthood, and Ecclesiastes near the end of his life. As in the first two chapters, wisdom is stressed in Proverbs 3.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.