The Best Time to Love Is Now
By Rick Warren
“Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now.” Proverbs 3:27-28 (GNT)
The best time to love is now. Not tomorrow. Not later. Not someday. Not one of these days. Not when you get around to it. Not soon. Now.
I don’t understand people who say, “I’m going to save all my money, and when I die, I’m going to give it away to charity.”
Why do that? Why not enjoy giving regularly? Why not experience the joy of giving while you’re still alive? Whatever you plan to give of yourself—whether it’s your money, time, energy, or something else—give it now!
Years ago, we received a check at Saddleback Church from a couple who knew we needed to upgrade our worship center from analog to digital and replace equipment that was more than 15 years old. The check was for half a million dollars, and it had a note with it that said, “It’d be great to have some new carpet, too.”
That couple got a whole lot more joy out of giving now rather than after they’re dead. This is why I say, “Do your givin’ while you’re livin’, then you’re knowin’ where it’s goin’.” And it will give you joy!
For most people, love isn’t going to look like writing a $500,000 check. For you, love might look like visiting someone in the hospital, writing a letter to someone who’s lonely, or being kind to your obnoxious coworker. Whatever love looks like for you, you should do it now.
The Bible says, “Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now” (Proverbs 3:27-28 GNT).
Did you know that God specifically puts people around you so you can show them love? There are some activities in life where it’s okay to procrastinate—to delay until a better time. But you should never procrastinate in showing love.
Learning to love is the reason God put you on Earth—and it should always take priority over everything else.
Never procrastinate in showing love. Don’t delay. Don’t put it off. Do it now.
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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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