God’s Heart For The PoorSample

Who is Your Neighbor?

Acquire wisdom. That is the theme of Proverbs chapter 3, and the chapter exhorts us to give up the desires for self-sufficiency and self-determination and instead turn to wisdom. Wisdom alone leads to life. There are three instructions, followed by five prohibitions. We are going to focus on the prohibition of verses 27-28, but we encourage you to study the entire chapter of Proverbs 3.

Proverbs 3:27-28 implies that a right relationship with God will result in right associations with our neighbors and those in our sphere of influence. We’re not sure what is owed in this verse—maybe it’s a payment for work, a debt to repay, a gift, or a loan to help in a time of need. We’re not told what “it” is, but we know that putting it off to tomorrow is not the correct decision. We have opportunity to do good today!

Who is your neighbor? Luke 10 tells us your neighbor is the hungry, the thirsty, the sick, and those in prison. It’s anyone with whom you come into contact—your coworkers, the barista at the coffee shop, those you live around you, your friends, your fitness trainer, and the people at the football game. God has made them your neighbors in life.

Have you been withholding good from your neighbor? Take care of that today. We know that a right relationship with God results in love for those around us. God’s love is evidenced in us as we love others as we have been loved.