Let Us Give Our Neighbors A Hand
In the book of Genesis, Cain replied to God’s question about his brother Abel’s whereabouts. The Bible says, “Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9). This unfortunate exchange reverberates down through the centuries. “Am I responsible for my brother’s troubles? Should I concern myself with his problems when I am doing well?”
We live in a world that is transactional in nature.
“Only if you help me will I help you. What have you done for me lately? If you have done nothing for me, why should I be concerned about you?” Clearly, we should help others. It may be at home or abroad, but we have an obligation to be helpful to others. If one sees his brother in need and shuts up his compassion, how can God’s love be in him (1 John 3:16-18)?
The Bible tells us to do to others like we want them to do to us (Matthew 7:12). The Bible tells us that those who love the Lord are known because of how well they treat each other (John 13:35). We must ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do,” when he saw the sick, the outcast, and the helpless. Would he focus on his own personal concerns, or would he be like the good Samaritan who helped a person attacked by robbers after two others had walked on by. When Jesus asked a follower who was the victim’s neighbor, “The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise”(Luke 10:36, 37).
Let us go and do likewise. Let us pray, write letters, petition the government, march, demonstrate or do whatever the Lord leads you to do. Perhaps we will find ourselves in dire straits and need a helping hand, but regret not helping others when we could have. We want to be able to say that I did what I could, when I could, where I could, and how I could. Let us give our neighbor a hand.
Genesis 4:9
New International Version
9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?
1 John 3:16-18
New International Version
16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
Matthew 7:12
New International Version
12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
John 13:35
New International Version
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Luke 10:36, 37
New International Version
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
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