The Well Being of Our Neighbour

UV 3592/10000. The Well Being of Our Neighbour Let each one of us make it a practice to please his neighbor for his good, to build him up spiritually. Romans 15 v 2 We are to try habitually to work for the good of others and not only our own good. Thereby, we please or win the favour and goodwill of others. We are also obeying the command of Jesus to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. This practice will bless us and make us a blessing. Most people are one way channels for blessings to flow towards them and them alone but we are to be two way channels of blessing. Jesus Himself did not please Himself but He pleased the Father in heaven in all that He said and did. In fact, those who displeased the Father also mocked Him and crucified Him. We need to understand that we play a dual role in the kingdom of God for we are not only meant to be the living stones with which the temple of God is built but we are co-builders with Jesus. We need to plan like master builders and secure the best materials to build others up as living stones in the tabernacle of God. The builders of this world rejected Jesus for they looked for qualities or characteristics that were extrinsic and external not qualities that are internal and eternal. The glam quotient or the personal attraction of Jesus was kept deliberately low so that people were not drawn to Him for reasons of physical prowess or charisma. We, therefore, need to ask ourselves constantly what is the need of others around us. We are to be sensitive and responsive to their needs and try to meet it as much as it lies in our capacity or resources to do so. We are not be parasites but benefactors working always for the good of others. We should not seek to harm them in any way, in thought, word or deed. When we do this we please our Father in heaven for we are being genuinely our brother or sister’s keeper. We provide help to the helpless, strength to the weak, comfort to the distressed. That which lies in our hands to do, we can do and for the rest, we are eager to pray for the unmet but critical needs of others. In meeting that need, we sow the seed of God’s unlimited love in their hearts. For building implies making a connection with people for the sake of the kingdom of God.