Should You Care About Your Neighbors’ Problems?
Myth: My neighbor’s problems are not my concern.
There’s a rental house about half a mile down the road from us. The place looks terrible. It’s run down, and the yard is full of trash and weeds. It’s been vacant for a couple months, but the other morning on the way to work, I drove by and noticed a bunch of kids out front—five or six of them. Toddlers all the way up to maybe eight or nine years old.
They didn’t seem to have any toys or to be playing a game. They were just sitting around. I wondered what they were all doing outside without a parent at 7:25 a.m.
That evening on the way home, I saw a young woman on the porch. The mom, I guess. She was in a chair and just watching the kids. With all those little ones, she was probably exhausted. No wonder she wasn’t trying to clean up the yard.
At church this morning I’m telling my twin sister Ruth about this, and she pipes up, “I think our Sunday school class ought to adopt that little family as a ministry. Sounds like that mother could use some help.”
That’s not why I was telling Ruth about the rental house. I don’t think we should help these people—I think they should find somewhere else to live. I firmly believe that people should help themselves. I’m sure that woman doesn’t have a job and is instead getting government handouts. I don’t think we do people like that any favors when we keep bailing them out and subsidizing their irresponsibility. She decided to have all those kids. Her bad choices are not my problem.
– Clay
The Truth
A lot of people feel as Clay does. Even some Christians believe that people in need should deal with the consequences of their actions. They need tough love. The point here is not to endorse a political philosophy or start an argument. The goal is to think through our obligation to love God and to love others.
• Read Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37). Which character in the story are you most like, and why?
• What if God took on an “other people’s problems are not my concern” attitude? What effect might that have on your life?
• Have you ever had a time when you were in need—whether financial or emotional? How has a friend or “neighbor” demonstrated compassion to you?
• Memorize the Great Commandment: Mark 12:29–31.
• How well do you know your nearest (geographically) ten neighbors? Consider throwing a block party or having a barbecue to become better acquainted with those who live near you.
• What are some practical ways you can live out this verse: “In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3–4).
• Resolve to pray daily that God would give you a greater love for those in need.
• Consider volunteering on a regular basis. Choose an organization that helps those who are in need. If you get to know people who are in a different life circumstance than you, you may find that you better understand them and can better show God’s love to them through your words and actions.
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Content in this article taken from Rooted: The NIV Bible for Men
Drawing on the truths of Scripture, the features in this Bible will motivate you to redeem your God-given passions, drives, and purposes so you can live out your faith. Myths articles expose commonly accepted myths of our culture that many men believe. Each article opens with the first-person story of a man who believes a particular myth and how that affects his life. Then, principles from the Bible refute the myth and offer practical guidance and help.
In addition, the Think About notes take you to the heart of important topics such as money, sex, and pride. Factoid-filled Get to Know profiles introduce you to 50 men from the Bible, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. You’ll find questions to reflect on, either alone or in a small group study, in the Questions for Growth. And the Knowing God notes highlight attributes of God, teaching you that knowing the character of God can help you live as a man created in his image. Altogether, these resources offer you knowledge, wisdom, and clarity to strive to become a godly man, rooted in timeless virtues.
