NEIGHBORLY GENEROSITY
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “‘Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?’ He said, 'The one who showed him mercy.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You go, and do likewise.’” Luke 10:36-37, ESV
Theme: Generosity is caring for our neighbors, even when it affects our calendars and bank accounts.
CARING FOR NEIGHBORS
As a result of living in the same neighborhood for almost 20 years, I know many of my neighbors. On one side live the couple who are just like grandparents to us. They have become like family, caring for our kids, having us over for family dinner, and sharing joys and struggles. On the other side lives the family of Mike’s coworker with one son who is a senior in high school. He is my six-year-old son’s favorite because he lets him drive his radio-controlled car and ride in his Jeep. Across the street is a family we have known since both families welcomed our oldest daughters, born the same year. Now, both girls are 16. We often trek across their yard to toss kayaks or paddle boards into the lake, with their permission of course.
Loving these neighbors looks like time, interest, attention, watching out for each other's kids and trash collection bins. Maybe I think my neighbors don’t need great care. Yet, based on the parable of the Good Samaritan, from which today’s Scripture is taken, my neighbors might live up to a mile or two down the road or even more remote. I’ve noticed houses of every sort on my daily walking and driving routes. I pass multi-million-dollar residences, rentals, and single-wide dwellings every day. While I know that my resources and I are both finite, anyone in that vicinity could be my “neighbor.” My neighbor is the needy, beaten, broken person God puts in my path on my way to wherever I’m going.
SHOW THEM MERCY
The Samaritan in the parable was on the road going somewhere. He was not supposed to be wandering aimlessly. Like the men before him (a Priest and Levite), the Samaritan was headed to some kind of personal business or maybe going home from a long week of work. Regardless, the mercy he showed to the man, beaten and broken, lying on the road, was inconvenient, and it cost him time and money. Clearly, he could have made an excuse if he wanted to, kind of like me. When my neighbor texted to ask a school question, I remembered she was feeling alone because of a family dilemma, and I called to inquire. After I kept seeing another neighbor out walking her dog, I asked her if she would like to go to coffee to catch up. Praying for opportunities to go “all out” in my neighborhood led me to befriend an isolated mom of one of the kindergarteners at my son’s school. God will direct us toward the neighbors for whom we can offer mercy. We are responsible to remain available and willing to make room in our calendars and checkbooks to accommodate them.
Make It Personal: Who is your “neighbor?” How can you care for people beaten and broken or injured along the way to wherever you are already going? Maybe it looks like generosity to a homeless person – financial, attention, time, or all three; organizing an outing; picking someone else’s kid up from the community bus stop without expecting reciprocation; offering to bring the snacks; helping someone who has lost a loved one, is having a health issue, or needs a friend. Maybe it’s picking up the slack for a coworker without complaining. How about taking an extra shift you didn’t want or need this week?
Pray: Father God, thank You for giving us stories to help us understand difficult principles. My neighbors are all around me. Sometimes the sheer magnitude of need overwhelms me. Yet You are not limited like I am. While you delight in my participation, You never expect me to do an unfair share. I trust You to show me the neighbor to whom I can give mercy. Help me to be faithful and have open hands that provide time and money to heal the hurting and bind up the wounded. In Jesus’ Name.
Read: Luke 10:25-37
Weekly Memory Verse: “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25, NLT