March 14

Mar 14 - Today from Proverbs 14 we look at verses 20 & 21
"The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends. He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy."

These two thoughts definitely go together. The first thought is the reality of man's fallen nature in this world. The rich have many friends because many of their 'friends' either enjoy the material benefits of their relationship, or are looking on ways to capitalize on their friendship. The poor have nothing to offer. In fact the poor are bothersome to the conscience and it is easier to deal with them by ignoring them. This is the reality of the world in which we live.
Then the writer turns our attention to a greater reality: that of a sovereign God who has commanded us to love our neighbor as ourselves - regardless of the state of the neighbor's circumstances. In fact, God has continually revealed that He has a tender heart for the poor in this world, and they are to be given consideration rather then be ignored. This is so very clear in Jesus' teaching when He was asked by an expert in the law to interpret the heart of the law (Luke 10:26). The expert replied, "To love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus replied that this was indeed the correct answer. Then in verse 29 it says of the expert, "But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" I don't think he was prepared for the answer, for this is the place where Jesus teaches the parable of the Good Samaritan. You know the story - a man walking the road was set upon by thieves, beaten and robbed and left for dead. The 'self-righteous' types walked by and passed to the other side of the road. They were busy accomplishing their own plans and there was nothing in it for them to stop and help this person who fell on misfortune. (I wonder if any of them uttered a prayer as they walked by.) Then a Samaritan came upon the scene. Samaritans were regarded as half-breed, second class people by the Jews. They believed that Samaritans were a stench in God's nostrils. But this Samaritan stopped and assisted the beaten man, got him medical attention, food and accommodations and even provided some extra funds for a recovery period. Then Jesus asked the expert in the law, which was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers.
The expert replied, "The one who had mercy on him." (Apparently he couldn't even bring himself to say the word Samaritan.)
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
My insurance company goes by the slogan; "Like a good neighbor, (we are) there." There have been a couple of instances where I really appreciated their fast and friendly service - but it wasn't because they were a good neighbor. It was because I paid substantial premiums. If hard times ever fell on me and I could no longer pay the premiums, our relationship would cease to exist. Then I would have to see if I really did have any good neighbors.
This little study is very convicting for me. How many victims of misfortune do I ‘walk by’ each day while I am processing my own plans? And which of them am I supposed to help? And how am I supposed to help them? We have responsibilities to our own family, we are in need of times of rest and recreation, we can only do so much. . . it takes wisdom, discernment and balance. That is why a vital relationship with Jesus is so important. We are to be led of His Spirit. There are times when it is obvious when an opportunity to be a good neighbor presents itself. We don't have to pray about it - we just pick the person up and apply the oil and the wine. But there are times when we need the prompting and leading of the Spirit. It's a maturing process that is developed through practice.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." -Galatians 6:9, 10