The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal, “Do not covet,” and any other commandments are summed in this one decree, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” 

Romans 13:10 (BSB)

Two years ago we moved into a nice little house on a nice little street surrounded by empty lots. Today there are nine houses with two more underway. Since we are on a cul-de-sac, the construction of each of these homes has been up close and personal, but also fascinating as we watch the homes take shape. Now, as each neighbor family moves in and gets settled, our little street is coming to life with a great variety or people: tele-commuters, retired folks, parents with babies and young children, natives from the area, people who moved here from another part of the country. 

All of us chose a neighborhood and chose to build a certain type of house, but we had no choice over who would live next door or across the street. Sometimes neighbors will become friends, but Scripture doesn’t confuse the two. There is a basic fairness and respect that we are to show to neighbors regardless of our sentiments-- whether across the yard, the closest cubicle at work or the next apartment--regardless of how they treat us.  

He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding keeps silent (Prov.11:12), Each one helps his neighbor… (Is. 41:6), Do not devise harm to your neighbor while he lives securely beside you (Prov. 3:29), Let your foot be rarely in your neighbor’s house, or he will become weary of you…(Prov. 25:17), Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor (1 Cor. 10:24).(all NASB)

Then there is Jesus’ answer to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” asked by a young lawyer in the parable of the good Samaritan. A man who gives freely to meet the need of a stranger, demonstrates that the essence of love is to show mercy to those who come into our life. 

Maybe we can meet that need by bringing cookies to a new neighbor, maybe it means traveling halfway around the world to bring help and hope to the victims of a natural disaster. But its essence is to give freely of our time and resources without expectation of return. 

Dear Father, 

In the good Samaritan we see a man whose life reflects mercy and an open-handed  generosity of both his time and resources. Help us to respond to the needs we see around us, both big and small, in a way that brings honor to You. Amen.

Nancy Shirah