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NORTH & NARROW

Session 3 · Ch 3 · Trust, honour, and do good now

Trust, honour, and do good now

What it means (summary)

Proverbs 3 calls you to trust the LORD instead of self-reliance, to honour Him first with what you have, and to do the good already in your hand today.

Scripture (KJV) with Explanation

Note: Always read these verses in your own Bible and ask the Holy Spirit for understanding. The summaries and explanations here are a supplemental guide and are generated with the help of technology; please weigh them against Scripture itself and wise counsel.

Proverbs 3:5–6
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Explanation: Whole-hearted trust with acknowledgment yields directed steps.

Proverbs 3:7–8
“Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”
Explanation: Humble turning from evil brings health to life.

Proverbs 3:9–10
“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.”
Explanation: Honour = treat God as weighty; firstfruits = the first/best portion given to the LORD—worship before self-use.

Proverbs 3:27–28
“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.”
Explanation: Do timely good—do not postpone help when it is within your power today.

Bridge (Scripture → Practice)

Because trust is expressed by offering the first portion and love by timely mercy, today you will set one first-portion gift and one timely help.

Application (practice)

  • Trust turn: write “I will not lean on my own understanding here” for one decision.
  • Honour first: give a first portion (money/possessions/time/skill) to the LORD’s work or a present need — before other uses.
  • Do good now: when help is in your hand, act today.

Action (SMART)

Before 6:00 p.m., (1) give one first-portion gift (priority generosity), and (2) do one timely help.

Examples:

  • Choose and give a first portion today to your church, benevolence fund, or a specific need.
  • Give a needed item today (groceries, transit card, coat) as your first act.
  • Offer a first block of time or skill (review a résumé, fix a small issue) before other tasks.
  • Pay for someone’s coffee today, carry a neighbor’s bags this afternoon, or send a thank-you note.

WIIFM

  • Today: a lighter heart and quieter evening from worshipful giving and on-time good.
  • Habit you’re training: first-portion generosity (honour) + timely mercy (love).
  • Future you: open-handed and less anxious; fewer “I should have…” regrets; a reputation for steady care.
  • Roll-up: Mercy/Service (M) habit grows; Finance (F) moves toward the generosity side of our medallions.
  • Tags: M, F, FR, TH.

Comparative Reinforcement

Aristotle calls the virtue of liberality the fitting way to use resources; giving first and appropriately forms a generous character that resists hoarding or waste.

Right Action emphasizes that timely gifts prevent harm and build trust; small, on-time acts often carry more weight than larger, delayed gestures.

Confucius notes that benevolence appears in concrete, everyday care; modest deeds done openly and promptly honour the worth of others.

Evening Check

First-portion gift given? Y/N · Timely help done? Y/N · Peace → 0 / 1 / 2