Bis dat qui cito dat: “he gives twice who gives promptly”
Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
The hebrew word for “to whom it is due” is actually “from its owners.” I have heard it said that ancient and traditional cultures considered one’s obligation to helping his neighbor as obligatory and deserved. In our western/individualistic culture, we may tend to struggle getting a handle on this sense of the right due our neighbor.
In this verse, there is a sense of injustice (Lev. 19.13) done when we do not move quickly to come to the aid of our neighbor. There is also the idea of inconsiderateness (Deut. 24.14,15).
Thus the maxim: Bis dat qui cito dat: “He gives twice who gives promptly.”
See my other post on A Time to Give…
BTW, I got this info from a wonderful commentary on Proverbs by Derek Kidner.
Thank you so much for these timely words! My husband is a contractor and his business has suffered greatly this past year. Even though it’s been difficult in a sense, it’s also been a very exciting time for us by the way so many of our church family have cared for us and mostly, by God and His provision. My children have always heard of God’s provision, but during this season they are seeing daily miracles take place in our home. He is such an awesome God!!
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