Neighborly Love

I’ve had some great neighbors over the course of my life. It’s a bit random whom you end up living nearby or next door too. I’ve also known people who can’t stand their neighbors. They’ve gotten sideways over something and can’t seem to get it resolved. There will no borrowing sugar or milk from one another for sure.

I heard a great parable early on in my adult life. The story goes that a stranger had moved to town and went to the local gas station/garage to get some repair work done on his car. He asked the mechanic what kind of people lived around here. The old mechanic asked him what kind of people where around where the stranger came from. The stranger said that they people where he came from were horrible, lazy and mean. He was glad to be out of there. The old mechanic told the man that that was exactly the type of people from around here.

The story goes on that another stranger came to the same mechanic later that day and he was new to town also. He asked the old mechanic what types of people live here. The mechanic asked him the same question regarding the people where he used to live. The man said that the people where he came from were incredibly friendly and nice. They would give you the shirt off their back if you needed it. The old mechanic smiled and said that is exactly the type of people who live around here. The moral of the story: To have good neighbors, you need to be a good neighbor.

The Lord was giving various laws and He included some laws regarding how your treat your neighbor/brother. Check this out…

1 Suppose you see your neighbor’s ox or sheep wandering away. Then don’t act as if you didn’t see it. Instead, make sure you take it back to its owner. 2 Its owner might not live near you. Or you might not know who owns it. So take the animal home with you. Keep it until the owner comes looking for it. Then give it back to them. 3 Do the same thing if you find their donkey, coat or anything they have lost. Don’t act as if you didn’t see it.

4 Suppose you see your neighbor’s donkey or ox that has fallen down on the road. Then don’t act as if you didn’t see it. Help the owner get it up on its feet again. (Deuteronomy 22:1-4 NIV)

When Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan, I was reminded that my neighbor is not just someone who lives close by. I believe the Lord wants me to treat my fellow man in a neighborly way. It’s not just a “Southern thang” either. The Lord wants His kids to treat others with kindness and respect. He wants me to love like He loves.

Pressing On!

Dwayne