What does loving your neighbor look like in today's world?

[Angelina]

For me it's always been about praying for my neighbors, and I have a Christian guy on one side of me and a couple whose children have grown up and left on the other. I like to pray for them every morning and bless their day. What are some loving things you do for your neighbor? And I'm not just talking about those who live next to you.

 

[TitusTwoWife]

I give cash and meals to homeless who ask me. Granted, I have to feel safe. But I believe it's important.

I try to offer more than just words when I have the power to help someone.

I serve my family at home happily. I treat my husband as my main priority.

I try not to return insults when they are given. Instead I pray for them and bless them.

I'm working on not judging people innappropriately and not speaking evil of anyone.

 

[Debp]

I think it's important to say hello and be kind to others. I can't get out much now but I always give a greeting to anyone passing me in my apartment building. Some might chat a little and others just keep going.

My friend Lopa who I asked prayer for used to be my next door neighbor. She, her husband and daughter became good friends these 26 years of knowing them. They moved away but we kept in touch.

 

[Angelina]

Recently a couple of young girls were in the supermarket, obviously picking things up for their family. I got this prompting from the Lord to go and buy them something special, so after going through the self-service lane, I went to the checkout the two girls were in line for. I gave it to the checkout girl and told her to add it to their groceries. I also showed her my receipt, confirming that it had already been paid for, and then I left.

 

[PeterAndroz]

Luke 10:25-37 - The good Samaritan
- The good Samaritan did ALL that he could
- He didn't just walk away like the Priests did
- He risked his life, the attackers could have been nearby.
- You have a home
- House a homeless person in your own home, you would if it was a close loved family member.
But that homeless person might be dangerous
Did the good Samaritan worry about his personal safety when he stopped ?
Keep the excuses coming, we ALL try and justify our purposeful sinning, MYSELF INCLUDED

 

[Angelina]

In the supermarket, I often get a revelation about certain people and the Lord prompts me to pray for them, so I do. Most people agree, and I pray for two things: their salvation and that the Lord heal them.

 

[MatthewG]

It’s best kept secret for me. Anything remotely well off was from the spirit of Christ. That’s what I believe Jesus taught. Love is defined as actions 1 Corinthians 13. Love is the greatest.

 

[Lambano]

It's being there and doing what needs to be done. This may (or may not) have included mowing a lawn that needed to be mowed while the husband was disabled, fixing computer stuff for elderly folks, driving a child with cystic fibrosis and some of her friends to Sunday school and telling them about Jesus, taking a woman who can't drive to the grocery store or home from the hospital, sitting with someone through the chemo treatments, helping a friend move on short notice, calling 911 Emergency Services when necessary, and now, when there's nothing more I can do, prayers.

I hope that's what loving your neighbor looks like.

 

[markalan]

I live in a retirement village ... as you face the challenges of old age, keeping a sense of humour is a great advantage ... so sharing a laugh with a neighbour is a great blessing ... our brains do all sorts of wonderful things when we laugh, so it seems God wants us to laugh.

 

[Ronald David Bruno]

Did the good Samaritan worry about his personal safety when he stopped ?

Probably because the victim was laying there _ beat up _ bloodied _ half dead _ in need of a doctor or else. It took him days to recover. LIfe and death situations are a bit different than giving to an addict. The money he gets supports his habit.
I lived in Los Angeles area for 40 years. I think there are now 70k+ homeless - very sad. Which ones do you give to? Everyone? I live in Texas now and I don 't see many homeless. People have and are briught up with a good work ethic here. But back to LA, I used to give to the LA Mission - instead of dozens you see everyday, everywhere you go begging. Numerous articles used to circulate about not giving cash to homeless but food or clothes, jobs if you were in a position to do so was advised. Feeding them is good. Feeding their habit is not. For some it was a lucrative business, making hundreds of dollars/ day, borrowing children to play on your sympathy, holding up signs that exploit God ( as if they really had faith).
We are not supposed to analyse it - because then excuses not to give will certainly convince you. So what do we do? Pray and go with your heart! And "Don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." In other words give in secret - don't blow the trumpets to pat yourself on the back.
That said, the Bible also warns people of a life of laziness, refusing to work ... condemning them as sluggards and that poverty will come quickly upon them. Many of these homeless are guilty of that.
I have to admit, I wrestle with giving to just everyone I come in contact with. God is actually punishing most of them.
??

 

[ScottA]

It's easy to hate, and even easier to hate a scoundrel whether beneath or above us. But we too were once scoundrels of our own sort, sinners. But God left a narrow way for us to escape, and we ought to do likewise for our neighbor--by any definition.

What would that look like in today's world coming from us? Does it mean being charitable, giving, providing for, etc.? Sometimes perhaps. But did even Jesus give indiscriminately, or did he give selectively? He did give to many, but many he did not. So then, he didn't gave indiscriminately, but selectively. Did he enable those he gave to, to be better, or continue as they were? He did give them a choice perhaps, that is, after first being selective. Did he ever just give to everyone? Oh yeah--yes he did! He fed thousands, etc. So...was that indiscriminate? Yes, but very basic. Did he give everyone wine, or build them houses? No, but in certain circumstances, as with the good Samaritan, he taught that sometimes we are to give without limit...even for a stranger. Beyond that he made promises--even of a new house for everyone--but there was always an "if" attached.

Even so, were there not robbers and cons in Jesus' time? Sure there were. So, again, what does that look like? It looks like we need his help to know when, where, and what to love or give. And acting on our own, out of our own limited ability to know when and if we are helping or perhaps hurting or making matters worse...surely was not even how Jesus approached all that he did.

In application, I can't help but think of the homelessness issue in today's society. Without a doubt, we are where we are, because many of those "love your neighbor" decisions were incorrectly made. How instead of helping matters, did we enable and accommodate and grow the problem? That's the challenge. Talking to an old rancher one time about it, a guy who looked like an old Sam Elliott, his answer was, "Ya caant feed 'em!" I'm sure what he was referring to is the similarity to feeding stray cats, but it was not meant uncharitably. Not at all. He is just the kind of guy who would feed a stranger, give the shirt of his back, and even treated his animals like they were people, sometimes better.

So, again, we need help in our decision making. We can't just do what feels right. Somewhere in our heart we seem to be able to go either way, to do what is good, to help, or to hurt and make matters worse. I suppose that means each one of those decisions needs to be made knowing that--not just in Jesus' name--but allowing him to make the decision, every time.

 

[pompadour]

Don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." In other words give in secret - don't blow the trumpets to pat yourself on the back.

I agree, that is what I try to do also.
I have never told anyone about this, but it was done in public and could not been done in private so I will tell it here. I'm sure it had an impact on several people. It happened about 20 years ago.

I had went to the Post office to mail some thing. When I went in there was 5 people in line in front of me and 2 young Girls ( about 8 and 10 years old) were at the counter talking to the Postal employee, I could not hear the whole conversation but they didn't have enough money. The oldest Girl said that's all the money their mother gave them. The Postal employee told them to go home and get more money.

My heart went out to them, they were very sad. they turned and were walking out past the other people and every person they walked past was looking at them. As they came to me I stopped them and asked them how much money they need. the older one said .15c, I gave her a quarter ( .25c ) and they went back to the Postal clerk and gave him the money. As they left they stopped and said, here is your change Sir. I told them to keep it and they left.

Every one in the lobby saw and heard the conversation, I don't know what effect it had on other people. Maybe God used it for good.
And it only cost .25c.

 

[Debp]

That said, the Bible also warns people of a life of laziness, refusing to work ... condemning them as sluggards and that poverty will come quickly upon them.

Yes and there are often even people on Christian forums that do this. Even though the Bible says...

8But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8

 

[Nancy]

Since moving to another state last year, it's like being a fish out of water lol!
Where I previously lived, I was in a pretty needy part of town, and aside from always praying for many neighbors there were a few older folks that I would gladly bring to the bank, doctors visits and the community center i had been honored to volunteer at for over 4 years. I so miss those things. Where I am at now, is a small Townhouse community and I have gotten to know several people here. They are all pretty independent and have their own vehicles. I pray for them all individually daily. Most of them claim to be Christians although, none of them want to talk about the Lord with me. One, a 79 year old attends a VERY liberal Methodist church and recently asked that him and I not speak about religion. He said this so "it doesn't ruin our friendship", oh my!

The others claim Christianity but they too have no idea what the scriptures say So, until I can find my niche here, I try to be as useful as possible and that is quite the challenge.

Although I DO have a wonderful Christian friend here that gets it. If you are reading this now, my friend...you know who it is :)

 

[Ronald David Bruno]

One, a 79 year old attends a VERY liberal Methodist church and recently asked that him and I not speak about religion. He said this so "it doesn't ruin our friendship", oh my!

Right, my generation always advised people to stay away from religion and politics... to be safe, and not open up a hornets nest. Liberal Methodist? Didn't Bill and Hillary claim that denomination? Wasn't the Methodist Church the first to accept Gay Pastors? This guy's probably a Left-winger. Try mentioning Trump ... you'll find out quickly.

 

[Cyd]

I myself had a real awakening about the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself. So I see it different now. I found out we are "evil" Yeshua made it clear in Mt 7:11 then I went searching the word "evil" and Almighty God said the same about us from youth. I do not like myself at all finding that out. So it is a different look at love thy neighbor as thy self to me. Another rood awakening was that God created evil, when Yeshua said God was the only one good not to call him good. Then I found out all souls are God's. So I do pray for all souls we all need it.

 

[Nancy]

Right, my generation always advised people to stay away from religion and politics... to be safe, and not open up a hornets nest. Liberal Methodist? Didn't Bill and Hillary claim that denomination? Wasn't the Methodist Church the first to accept Gay Pastors? This guy's probably a Left-winger. Try mentioning Trump ... you'll find out quickly.

The first was the Episcopal church.
This is what I found online about the Clintons: "Bill Clinton is a member of the Southern Baptist denomination, while Hillary Clinton is a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church."

That sure doesn't mean they are actual Christians, just like so many pew warmers, thinking they are doing God a service by showing up to church for an hour once a week. Also, I am way past the right/left and the liberal/conservative actually being a thing. It goes so much deeper than that. But, that's where this evil world indoctrinated us with for decades and decades. I look at the individual and so does God.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[Riven]

For me it's always been about praying for my neighbors, and I have a Christian guy on one side of me and a couple whose children have grown up and left on the other. I like to pray for them every morning and bless their day. What are some loving things you do for your neighbor? And I'm not just talking about those who live next to you.

Getting as far away as possible. Neighbors are like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.

 

[ScottA]

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

2 A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
3 A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
4 A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
7 A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
8 A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8