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Good Neighbor Policy

 

Deuteronomy 22:1-2

"Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother. And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again."

 We have heard a great deal about a good neighbor policy, and we see that God had a good neighbor policy for His people in that day. During Franklin Roosevelt's administration he came out with the “good neighbor policy,” all the pundits and reporters acclaimed it as something brand new. They hailed Roosevelt as a sort of messiah and thought he had come up with something wonderful. May I say to you that the good neighbor policy is as old as Moses—actually much older than Moses. It goes back to the very throne of God in eternity. He is the One who says we are to adopt a good neighbor policy, and it is to be demonstrated in our everyday life.

 

First of all, we are to help a brother in need.  I know this seems a bit repetitive, but I want to stress that we are to look for those who are in need. 

Secondly, you are to take care of your brother's possessions as if they were your own.  If in helping someone you must take care of one of their possessions, then treat them as you would treat your own possessions. 

 Thirdly, we are not to avoid helping someone because of inconvenience.  Notice in verse 2 it says, "And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee..."

 Lastly, we are not to avoid helping someone because we don't know them.  Notice again in verse 2 it says, "...or if thou know him not..." God didn't just say to help those we know, but we are to help those we don't know as well. 

Make it your goal to help someone in need each day.  Try not to go a day without helping to cheer someone's spirit, helping someone in need, or leading someone to Christ.  Be someone who is always willing to lend a helping hand.

 

An “Inspirations” song says, Lord, I want to be a blessing to someone today! Maybe a word or a smile will do!