Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Read: Luke 10:25-37

The screen door slammed behind Oliver as he bounded down the steps of his house. Humming, he headed toward the barn to feed the chickens.

Buck buck buck buck-AHHHH! squawked Omelet, Benedict, Scrambled, and Dippy as they raced around the corner of the barn. Omelet nibbled at Oliver’s fingers. “I’m not your supper, you crazy bird!” he said with a laugh.

Mom was turning the TV volume up when Oliver returned to the house. A news correspondent was reporting on a hurricane in another part of the country while wind and rain whipped around him.

“I’m standing on what used to be one of the main roads here,” he shouted above the blustery weather. “Now the road has turned into a river. Behind me, you can see families leaving all they own behind to get to safety. Flooding is expected to get worse before it gets better.”

That night, Oliver could hardly sleep. He kept thinking of all the kids he saw on TV who had to leave their homes and everything they had.

During family devotions the next morning, Dad read from the book of Mark.

“What does ‘love your neighbor as yourself’ mean?” Oliver asked his parents.

“It means we should help those in need, even if they don’t live next door,” Mom explained. “Doing that shows others the love of Jesus, who left heaven and came to earth to save us from sin. He sacrificed His life so we could have a relationship with Him, and we can show that same kind of love to others, no matter who or where they are.”

“How can I do that?” Oliver asked.

“The best thing you can do is pray,” Dad said. “You can also share things like your allowance or your time.”

Oliver thought about his chickens. “Can I use the money I’m making from selling eggs to help the kids in the hurricane?”

Mom smiled. “I think that’s a great idea.”

The late afternoon sun washed over Oliver as he collected eggs later that day. He closed his eyes, basking in the warmth. Please, Lord, he prayed, help the kids who have lost everything in the hurricane. And help me use the money from these eggs to show them Your love.

–Kelly Hope

How about you? Do you know someone who needs help from a neighbor? In the Bible, a neighbor isn’t necessarily someone who lives on the same street as you—or even in the same country. It’s a person Jesus loves, and that’s everyone! Helping a neighbor in need can be as simple as inviting someone to play with you or praying for someone far away. How else can you show God’s love to your neighbors?

Today’s key verse: Love your neighbor as yourself. Mark 12:31 (NIV)

Today’s key thought: Love your neighbor