Sun 9:30a Class; 10:30a Worship; 11:35a Communion
Bible Bites
Good Fences Make Good Neighbors
DO YOU LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR?
“When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof, so that you will not bring bloodguilt on your house if anyone falls from it.” (Deut. 22:8)
Cain asked the question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” – apparently, if it’s your house you are! The typical architecture found in Israel was a flat roof that doubled as an outer patio/balcony. If you were going to have people go up on your roof, you better build a parapet (i.e. a low wall or railing) so they didn’t fall. In other words, every Jew was responsible for thinking about the safety and well-being of others.
I love these tiny details embedded in the Old Testament laws that point us toward greater principles. It isn’t about building railings, it is about understanding that being a good steward is more than just thinking about yourself. The safety of others and their overall well being should matter to us. Whether it be repairing a piece of your deck that could cause someone to fall or being thoughtful to put a leash on your dog so it doesn’t rush up on an unexpected pedestrian, Christians should see the choices we make in our lives through the lens of what is in our neighbors’ best interest. And we should use the term ‘neighbor’ exactly like Jesus did in the parable of the Good Samaritan (see Luke 10) – your neighbor is whomever you have opportunity to reach and impact.
If through neglect in our own craftsmanship and service we fail to consider the health and safety of our fellow man, we are wrong. “Whatever our hand finds to do we should do with all our might” (Eccl 9:10). A Christian should not cut corners in whatever service he is active in… especially when that service impacts others, and it almost always does.
Neglect and apathy are not found in the fruits of the spirit, but self-control and faithfulness are.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Col. 3:17)
We glorify God when we live for mastery and think through how the choices we make impact others. From returning the grocery cart to cleaning up a spill so others won’t slip, God notices the little things, even the railing on our back porch!
