Being a Good Neighbor – Part 2

Read Being a Good Neighbor Part 1 here.

As I write these words, we have had four more shootings in public places like churches and bars. Such events create anxiety and fear within us. Last week I was contacted to make sure we still have a police presence on Sunday mornings. It is in times like these, we want to know we are surrounded by people who we trust, especially in the places we live, work, play, and worship.

As I have reflected upon these events, I have asked myself “How can I be a good neighbor to the people around me?” “How can I be an agent of the “perfect love that casts out fear?” 

The Dead Sea & Neighboring Well

I know this will sound strange, but in my reflection, I was reminded of the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth. It is nine times saltier than the ocean, making it unfit for sustaining plant and animal life. The Jordan River constantly fills it, yet it has no outlet. Because it only receives but never releases, it has become stagnant and lifeless.

Now, what does that have to do with being a good neighbor? We are living in some low times in the history of our country. It is hard to feel productive when you don’t feel safe in the places you associate with people. When you don’t feel safe, the world shrinks, and you become less aware of the people around you. Much like the Dead Sea, you are taking things in but putting little out.

As I have reflected upon it, being a good neighbor is about what I pass on more than what I gain. It is about sharing what I have received. It is about developing lasting relationships built on contribution, rather than accumulation.

To get an insight into being a good neighbor, read this story told by Jesus.

Read Luke16:19-31

¹⁹ “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. ²⁰ And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, ²¹ who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. ²² The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham.^[a] The rich man also died and was buried. ²³ In Hades, where he was being tormented, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side ²⁴ He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.’ ²⁵ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things and Lazarus in like manner evil things, but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. ²⁶ Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ ²⁷ He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— ²⁸ for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ ²⁹ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ ³⁰ He said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ ³¹ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”

Reflect on Luke 16

In this parable when Jesus says, “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day,” he is describing a person who has expensive clothes and who lives in luxury.

When he says, “And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table…,” he is pointing out that most of the man’s blessings got clogged in his own hand and rarely flowed through his life to others.

So, this story begins to reflect that a lot of life’s blessings flowed into this man’s life and that nothing flowed through him to other people.

Being a Blessing 

With that in mind, have you considered that the blessings you have received might have been given to you to bless others? Could it be that you have been blessed to be a blessing? That you are loved for the purpose of loving others?

Again, being a neighbor is about what you pass on more than you gain. It is about sharing what you have received, and developing relationships built working for the good of others.

So, how will you be a neighbor to the people around you? And how will you be an agent of the “perfect love that casts out fear?” The question I ask myself is, how do I create safe places in the midst of fear and confusion?

Being a Good Neighbor

One way of being a neighbor is by allowing God’s love and healing flow through you to the people around you. In Luke’s gospel, when Jesus started his ministry, he was filled with the Holy Spirit. God’s power and blessing flowed through him for the good of others. He became a blessing to others.

In the story, Jesus never once faulted the man for being rich. The man’s tragedy was that he was unaware of the people around him. All he had received stayed with him. He was blessed, but he never became a blessing to others.

In other words, he did not practice good stewardship. What was only loaned to him he thought he owned. He stopped the flow, the exhilaration, the fulfillment, the purpose, and the joy of life when he became a container instead of an instrument.

With that in mind, where will you become an instrument of God’s love and healing? In the midst of the pain and crisis of our day, how will you become a good neighbor?

Look around you in the places where you spend your day. See the people around you. Some of them have broken hearts, others need someone to listen, and still others need a caring hand. How will be a blessing by letting God’s blessings flow through you?

It is my hope that you will always be as blessed as you are a blessing!

Respond to Luke 16

George Schuler wrote the words to the hymn we know as “Make Me A Blessing.” Let these words be a prayer in shaping you into a neighbor of God’s love.

Out in the highways and byways of life, many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife making the sorrowing glad.

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing, out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O savior, I pray, make me a blessing to someone today.

Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love; tell of His power to forgive;
Others will trust Him if only you prove true every moment you live.

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing, out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O savior, I pray, make me a blessing to someone today.

Give as was given to you in your need; love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper; indeed, unto your mission be true.

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing, out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O savior, I pray, make me a blessing to someone today.

Return

Give God thanks for the neighbors you encountered today. How were you a blessing to those around you? What did you learn about them? What did you learn about yourself? What will you do differently tomorrow? Give God thanks for the experiences that have helped you become more who God created you to be.

O God, make me a blessing to someone, somewhere today!