How Much Does a Broken Neighbor Cost? April 15, 2011

April 15, 2011     “The Cost of a Broken Neighbor” 

            A few years ago I was rushing to finish a lawn and must have forgotten to blow off the lawn clippings that had gathered on one of my customer’s neighbor’s lawn.   The next week this neighbor came and told me sternly that I needed to make sure I blew any grass off his driveway that resulted from my cutting.  He was right of course.  I apologized profusely and over time he would wave and even chat with me from time to time.   After this man’s wife had a stroke and he was unable to cut his own lawn anymore he asked me to take over doing his lawn.   Today he is one of my best customers.  Had I copped an attitude, a great opportunity and financial blessing could have been missed. 

            This past week with all the national budget deliberations it’s easy to adopt an attitude of, “we can’t afford it.”  I have a hard time picturing Jesus saying that to all of those many poor, sick, injured, and depressed people that sought after him.   As Americans it’s easy to say we should be taking care of our own people but do we?  And more important, will we in the future? 

            Just in the New Testament alone we are instructed eight times to love our neighbors just as we love ourselves.   (Check them out - Matthew 5:43, Matthew 19:19, Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31, Mark 12:33,  Romans 13:9, Galatians 5:14,  and James 2:8).   I wonder today what it takes to really love our neighbors and fellow Americans.   Do our neighbors have to be old enough?   Sick enough, Disabled enough?  Poor enough?   Insane enough?  Military decorated enough, or even White (or your own ethnicity) enough? 

            I KNOW Jesus wouldn’t have placed these types of preconditions on those he came to heal and save.  In Matthew 9:36 of the New Living Translation we find, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”  Before we start taking on our cultural political speak, we need to consider Jesus’ example.   And, lest we start thinking we have a pass just because we aren’t perfect like Jesus was 1 John 3:17 pops up.  “If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need, but shows no compassion-how can God’s love be in that person?”   God wants and requires that we love and show compassion.  In Romans 13:8, it’s made very clear, “If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.”  

            If loving your neighbor is hard your in good company.   Consider what GK Chesterton said says about this, “The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies: probably because they are generally the same people.”    Have a great evening and weekend and don’t forget to show a little love!