Being Neighborly Prov. 3:27-29 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

As Bible-believers, we recognize that salvation is not tied to the second commandment or to keeping the golden rule.  Thus, we become callous to our neighbors.  A lot of independent Baptist churches are small and the reason is that they are not neighborly.  So, let’s take a practical lesson from these verses and find their counterparts in the Bible.

Why be neighborly?  Because of:

Paul’s Commandment to Christians – Gal 6:10 Christians should do good to all men including the lost – the gospel is “good” for them – take time with them to help them and open the door to preach the gospel to them

His need that you can fill – Jas 2:15-16 when he’s naked and hungry and you say be warmed and filled it doesn’t do him any good, he still has needs that have to be met – and in our churches we have to help each other out – however, avoid professional beggars

The love of God in you – 1 Jn 3:17 you can’t shut up your bowels of compassion to a brother

Others’ neglect of his need – Lk 10:30-35 Samaritan – we have a duty to help when we can

An opportunity to reconcile – Ex 23:5 we need to help even an enemy Rom 12:20-21

Conclusion:  Devise not evil against neighbor [Rom 13:10] EITHER through: outright harm 1 Ki 21 as in the case of Naboth OR neglect Deut 23:3-4 [Moabites and Ammonites]; 1 Sam 25:10-11 [Nabal]