In biblical terms, "withholding" often refers to the act of holding back or refraining from giving something that is due or expected. This concept can be applied to various aspects of life, including finances, justice, love, and spiritual gifts. The Bible addresses the idea of withholding in both positive and negative contexts, emphasizing the importance of generosity, justice, and integrity.

Financial Withholding

One of the most direct applications of withholding in the Bible is in the context of financial resources. Proverbs 11:24-25 states, "One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." This passage highlights the paradoxical nature of generosity versus withholding. While withholding resources might seem to preserve wealth, the Bible teaches that true prosperity comes from generosity.

Malachi 3:8-10 addresses the issue of withholding tithes and offerings: "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing Me. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this," says the LORD of Hosts. "See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure." Here, withholding what is due to God is equated with robbing Him, and the call is to trust in God's provision through faithful giving.

Withholding Justice

The Bible also speaks against withholding justice, particularly in the context of leadership and governance. Proverbs 21:3 states, "To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice." This underscores the importance of acting justly and not withholding justice from those who deserve it. Leaders are called to ensure fairness and equity, reflecting God's own just nature.

In the prophetic literature, the withholding of justice is often condemned. Isaiah 1:17 exhorts, "Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow." This call to action emphasizes that withholding justice from the vulnerable is contrary to God's will.

Withholding Love and Forgiveness

Withholding love and forgiveness is another area addressed in Scripture. In the New Testament, Jesus teaches about the importance of forgiveness in the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35). The servant who withholds forgiveness from his fellow servant, despite having been forgiven a great debt himself, is ultimately punished. This parable illustrates the expectation that believers should not withhold forgiveness, as they have been recipients of God's abundant mercy.

1 John 3:17 challenges believers regarding withholding love: "If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?" This verse calls for active love and compassion, demonstrating that withholding love is inconsistent with the Christian faith.

Withholding Spiritual Gifts

The New Testament also addresses the use of spiritual gifts within the church. Believers are encouraged not to withhold their gifts but to use them for the edification of the body of Christ. 1 Peter 4:10 instructs, "As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another." Withholding spiritual gifts deprives the community of the benefits God intends through the diverse gifts He has given.

In summary, the concept of withholding in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing financial resources, justice, love, forgiveness, and spiritual gifts. The overarching biblical principle is that withholding what is due or expected, especially in these areas, is contrary to God's character and His desires for His people.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Withhold.4981. schole -- leisure, hence disputation (that for which leisure ...
... Probably feminine of a presumed derivative of the alternate of echo; properly,
loitering (as a withholding of oneself from work) or leisure, ie (by implication ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4981.htm - 6k2821. chashak -- to be or grow dark
... A primitive root; to be dark (as withholding light); transitively, to darken --
be black, be (make) dark, darken, cause darkness, be dim, hide. 2820, 2821. ...
/hebrew/2821.htm - 6k

3596. kilay -- a rascal
... churl. Or kelay {kay-lah'-ee}; from kuwl in the sense of withholding; stingy --
churl. see HEBREW kuwl. 3595, 3596. kilay or kelay. 3597 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/3596.htm - 6k

Withholding Corn
... Withholding Corn. A sermon (No.642) delivered ... none too wise. "Ah," says
another, "I do not see the wrong of withholding. There are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/withholding corn.htm

Twenty-First Proposition of Arminius
... agent, surely and with certainty moving or impelling the cause, in its own nature,
free and contingent, to the act of sin, or else withholding or withdrawing ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 3/twenty-first proposition of arminius.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... and forgiveness through Christ, are greatly abused by careless sinners and hypocrites;
but is this a good reason for denying and withholding them from the ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture l perseverance of saints.htm

Obedience Entire.
... While voluntarily withholding full obedience, their partial obedience is accepted,
and the sin of withholding full obedience is forgiven. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture x obedience entire.htm

Twenty-Ninth Lesson. According to his Will;
... it is impossible for me to know whether He may not count something else better for
me than what I desire, or may not have some reasons for withholding what I ...
/.../with christ in the school of prayer/twenty-ninth lesson according to his.htm

Pastor in Parish (ii. ).
... of Baptism, that she teaches at least a near approach to Transubstantiation, that
she entrusts to her priests the power of conferring or withholding the divine ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter viii pastor in parish.htm

Of the Distribution of the Keys, and their Power, or of the ...
... so much as discerned their defect of Church-power, ot liberty due unto them in point
of discipline: and others finding themselves wronged in withholding a key ...
/.../chap ii of the distribution.htm

Conclusion.
... In that impressive hour, did you make a mental reservation, withholding certain
sources of private gratification,"the privilege of using your property as you ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/conclusion.htm

The Contrast
... Yet Love is just as often in the withholding. We purchase relief from the sympathetic
feelings roused by the spectacle of misery, at the copper's cost. ...
/.../drummond/the greatest thing in the world and other addresses/the contrast.htm

A Nightly Prayer. 1831.
... For thou in withholding grantest, healest in inflicting the wound, yea, turnest
all to good for as many as truly seek thee through Christ, the Mediator! ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/a nightly prayer 1831.htm

Withholding (3 Occurrences)
...Withholding (3 Occurrences). ... Proverbs 11:26 Whoso is withholding corn, the people
execrate him, And a blessing 'is' for the head of him who is selling. (YLT). ...
/w/withholding.htm - 7k

Retention
... 3. (n.) That which contains something, as a tablet. 4. (n.) The act of withholding;
restraint; reserve. 5. (n.) Place of custody or confinement. ...
/r/retention.htm - 8k

Withholds (11 Occurrences)

/w/withholds.htm - 9k

Unbelief (16 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The withholding of belief; doubt; incredulity;
skepticism. 2. (n.) Disbelief; especially, disbelief ...
/u/unbelief.htm - 12k

Ungodly (41 Occurrences)
... both irreverent and impious): Trench says that the idea of active opposition to
religion is involved in the word, that it is a deliberate withholding from God ...
/u/ungodly.htm - 18k

Withholdeth (7 Occurrences)

/w/withholdeth.htm - 8k

Wages (52 Occurrences)
... of (mention only in Matthew 20:2); to be punctually paid (Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy
24:14, 15); judgements threatened against the withholding of (Jeremiah 22 ...
/w/wages.htm - 28k

Reaping (10 Occurrences)
... Reaping where he sowed not, showed the injustice of the landlord (Matthew 25:26),
as did also the withholding of the reapers' wages (James 5:4). In God's ...
/r/reaping.htm - 13k

Rain (118 Occurrences)
... The withholding of rain according to the prophecy of Elijah (1 Kings 17:1) caused
the mountain streams to dry up (1 Kings 17:7), and certain famine ensued. ...
/r/rain.htm - 43k

Execrate (4 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Proverbs 11:26 Whoso is withholding corn, the people execrate him,
And a blessing 'is' for the head of him who is selling. (YLT). ...
/e/execrate.htm - 7k

Since God withholds forgiveness, can we? | GotQuestions.org

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Withholding: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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