Day 63 - 90 Days in Proverbs - Neighborly

Proverbs 11:12-13 [NIV] 12 Whoever derides (or belittles – as the ESV puts it) their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue. 13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

Wes and I live in the country. We have neighbors on one side. Our properties are separated by trees and a fence, as well as long driveways. Being neighborly takes a lot less effort than if you live in an apartment where you can hear the TV of the folks next door or a subdivision where you hear the kids in the yard and see each other taking the garbage out.

Being a good neighbor is important to God. Romans 13:10 [NKJV] tells us, Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love [is] the fulfillment of the law. In Luke 10:27-28, we find that we must go beyond just not gossiping or just not doing harm. Verse 27 So he answered and said, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.' " 28 And He (Jesus) said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live." The young lawyer than asked Jesus “who is my neighbor?” and, in response, Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan. Everyone who needs your help is your neighbor – not just those who share a fence line.

The millennial in the next cubicle who is struggling to keep up with multiple projects is your neighbor. The mom who always brings the worst junk food to little league practice is your neighbor. The family member no one wants to invite to dinner is your neighbor. We are to love and help them in any way we can.

It can be tempting to belittle a mate, sibling or coworker when we should do as Proverbs 11:12 tells us – to hold our tongues. The people closest to us have the greatest chance of rubbing us the wrong way.

My grandma used to say, “if you cannot say something nice, say nothing at all.” I bet you’ve heard that too. God does not want us to belittle others or gossip about them. He wants us to hold our tongues rather than do harm to a neighbor – whether that neighbor is a relative, coworker, friend or actual neighbor.

He expects us to love each neighbor as we love ourselves, whether that neighbor is an annoying coworker, a busy-body neighbor, a relative who always embarrasses us in public or someone who is easy to love. That love includes reaching out to help when we see them in need.

Don’t belittle or gossip about any neighbor. Instead love them. It’s the neighborly thing to do. It’s the godly thing to do.

Prayer — Father God, you call me to love my neighbors as myself. Help me today to hold my tongue rather than gossip or belittle. Help me today to reach out with support and provision when I see a neighbor in need. Help me to love all my neighbors as myself – for every one of them is a child of yours. Jesus showed us the way and it is His example I seek to follow. In His name I pray. Amen.

Your thoughts —  

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