“Neighborly”
Steve Vice

Webster defines neighborly as: “one who has or shows the qualities befitting a neighbor, friendliness”.

Where I grew up, back in the rural country of Alabama, we used the word "neighborly." If someone was angry or unfriendly or unhelpful then that person was not being very neighborly. On the other hand, if someone went out of their way to be helpful then we would say, “Now that's right neighborly of you.”

This same idea is seen in the story of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37). The priest and the Levite saw the injured man, but they went over to the other side so they would not come too close to him. Neither of them helped this man in his time of need. Neither of them was very neighborly.

But there was a Samaritan man who was a half Jew and half Gentile, who was considered to be lower than a dog in the eyes of a Jew, who stopped to help this injured man. The Samaritan man's compassion was evident. He poured oil in “Neighborly” (continued from page one)

This world would be a better place if we had more neighborly people in it.wounds and put on bandages. He put the injured man on his beast and carried him to the inn. And then he paid the inn keeper for the injured man's stay. (Remember that this man had been robbed of all his money.) And then he told the inn keeper that if there were more charges he would pay them when he returned. This Samaritan was right neighborly to this injured stranger.

This world would be a better place if we had more neighborly people in it. But it seems that there are more robberies and murders; more corruption and licentiousness, and a lot more selfishness in the world today. Instead of loving their neighbor, people love their neighbor's prosperity, and are watching for an opportunity to sue their neighbor (or their insurance company) to get their hands on some of that prosperity.

It is up to Christians to turn this around. Each Christians is bound by the second commandment to love their neighbor as themselves (Matthew 22:39). The golden rule must, be applied with much liberality today: "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12). Paul said it this way, "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is, fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Galatians 5:13-14).

The above verses define what it means to be neighborly. Neighborliness is a way of life for every faithful Christian. And just like the good Samaritan, a neighborly person will go out of his or her way to help, whether it be a friend, or a stranger, or, even an enemy.

Are you a neighborly Christian?

For Your Information
Those who wish to send cards of encouragement to these who are currently undergoing cancer treatments, may do so at these addresses (Click Below):

Patricia Hawks
Glenda McInnis
Ted Wheeler

Bible Study Lessons
Computer owners - if you have not done so already, be sure to visit Gaylon West’s:

www.biblestudylessons.net

Several recent additions have been made including: chapters 13 and 14 of Textqwest's study in the book of Matthew and the illustrated lesson, “Preparation For the Aftermath”.

A child of God must constantly be on the alert so as to keep his body in subjection at all times for he is constantly under observation by the people of the world but even more important is the fact that God is watching over him.