Neighborly Responsibility
This word carries with it accountability and answerable to another. I think it also means dependable and reliable. I do try hard to be a responsible husband, Dad, friend & REALTOR. I think responsibility involves experience and education. I see my work as serving others. I can certainly be a good neighbor by helping them when I see a need.
The people of Israel were in the early stages of becoming a nation. The Lord was giving them some instructions regarding how to govern themselves as well as how to treat one another. He gave them instructions on being a good neighbor. Check this out….
1 “If you see your neighbor’s ox or sheep or goat wandering away, don’t ignore your responsibility. Take it back to its owner. 2 If its owner does not live nearby or you don’t know who the owner is, take it to your place and keep it until the owner comes looking for it. Then you must return it. 3 Do the same if you find your neighbor’s donkey, clothing, or anything else your neighbor loses. Don’t ignore your responsibility. (Deuteronomy 22:1-3 NLT)
I know as a Dad that I’m responsible for my family.
As I’ve grown older (and hopefully wiser), I’ve realized that I have responsibility to my neighbors and my friends. I want to there to encourage and support them. My first responsibility is to my family. I also feel responsible as a leader in the church. My first responsibility is to seek the Lord’s heart and invite Him to speak into my soul the proper response in all other relationships.
I do want to be a good neighbor to others. Out of my relationship with the Lord, I want to be of service to my family, friends and neighbors – even strangers. I want others to see Jesus in the very fiber of my being. I am responsible for my relationship with the Lord. His Presence in me shapes my perspective on everything else.
Pressing On!
Dwayne