They Don’t Qualify as “Neighbor” Material, Right?

Neighbors are those nice people you trust and enjoy spending time with.

But what about all those people you don’t trust or enjoy spending time with?

They seem unfriendly.

They vote differently than you do.

They have loud parties when you’re trying to sleep.

Their dog thinks your yard is his bathroom.

Their lifestyle is… uh, “alternative.”

They don’t mow their lawn.

They are drunk. Often.

They don’t qualify as “neighbor” material, right?

The Bible says we must “Love God with everything you have, everything you are… and love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10.27)

A religion scholar in Jesus’ day felt trapped by this command to love God and his neighbors…

Looking for a loophole, he asked, “And just how would you define neighbor?” (Luke 10.29 MSG)

In typical fashion, Jesus tells a story—this time about a “good Samaritan.”

In Jesus’ story, the guy who was robbed and beaten is Jewish.

The other guy—the only one who stopped and helped—is a Samaritan.

Jews and Samaritans were known for their unneighborly tendencies toward each other.

They generally hated each other.

They certainly didn’t hang out BBQing or celebrating the 4th of July together.

So, let’s get back to the question…

People we don’t trust or or enjoy spending time with don’t qualify as “neighbor” material, right?

Well, the question is wrong.

Because the onus (responsibility) of being neighborly isn’t on them.

It’s on us.

Yup.

It is our responsibility to love God and love people—regardless of their condition, behavior, lifestyle or attitude.

And we have lots of neighbors…