Who Is Your Neighbor? Anyone Who Needs Your Help!

Saturday morning, my daughter posted on Facebook that her family of five was low on toilet paper. She voiced frustration with those hoarding this personal necessity since her husband had gone to several stores and only came home with napkins!

Immediately, she started receiving comments from Facebook friends ready to spare some of their supply and bring her family TP! Then another friend out shopping found a family size package at a store and purchased it for her.

After seeing pictures of empty grocery store shelves,
especially of toilet paper, it warmed my heart, and hers, to know she had so
many generous friends, who had probably weathered the crowds to get their own
precious stash and were ready to step in and help my daughter’s family.

My daughter’s friends understood: For the entire law is
fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14

We also have dear friends who have braved COSTCO and ask what we need them to pick up for us. I’m sure you have friends like this too, and I hope you’ve also had the blessing of being that kind of friend to someone else in need.

I do wonder if shoppers with overflowing shopping carts are stockpiling in their garages and basements or are they sharing with an elderly or shut-in neighbor, friend, or relative? Or maybe giving to someone who can’t afford to make bulk purchases? I hope so!

Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.—Deuteronomy 15:10 NLT

I’m not minimizing the need to be prepared, but government advice is
recommending food and supplies for two weeks, not two years!

Greed Leads to Destruction: Generosity Leads to
Refreshment

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.—Proverbs 11:25

Jesus told a parable about a hoarder who didn’t
share with his neighbors!

13  Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher,
please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”

14  Jesus
replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as
that?” 15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how
much you own.”

16  Then
he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine
crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I
don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said,
‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room
enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And
I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for
years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

20  “But
God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get
everything you worked for?’

21  “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly
wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Jesus went on to tell his disciples a message
about money, possessions, pandemic fear, and panic-buying we’re watching today.

22  Then,
turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry
about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to
wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body
more than clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They
don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are
far more valuable to him than any birds! 25 Can all
your worries add a single moment to your life? 26 And
if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying
over bigger things?

27  “Look
at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet
Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 And
if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the
fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

29  “And
don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such
things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of
unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God
above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

32 “So
don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give
you the Kingdom.—Luke 12:13-32

Church Services Canceled

Many churches canceled their services this past weekend until further notice. There are online or television services you can watch, but keeping everything in perspective, there are more people packed into a COSTCO or Walmart than are in most church services. Yet, no one seems to be worried about those numbers of people.

I understand the
restriction on groups gathering, but I still have to wonder why shopping
together is fine but praying together is a danger.

My husband and I are both in the over 60 group the
doctors warn are more susceptible to this virus. We’re definitely taking
precautions, but we’re grateful for President Trump’s understanding of the
power of prayer.

 “It’s my great honor to declare Sunday, March 15, as a National Day of Prayer. We are a Country that, throughout our history, has looked to God for protection and strength in times like these…. “No matter where you may be, I encourage you to turn towards prayer in an act of faith. Together, we will easily PREVAIL!” President Trump

What I Hope Each Christian is Doing to Combat Fear,
Uncertainty, and Scarcity!

1. Shop for everyone you know who is financially restricted, housebound,
or elderly. Take care of their
needs.

Now that I am old and gray,

    do not abandon me, O God.

Let me proclaim your power to
this new generation,

    your mighty miracles to all who come
after me.—Ps. 71:18
NLT

2. If you’ve overbought for your family, share
with those around you who weren’t as fortunate.

And do not forget to do good and to share with others,
for with such sacrifices God is pleased. —Heb. 13:16

3. Pray for the Coronavirus task force, President Trump, Vice President Pence, healing for the sick, medical personnel, hospital staff, and a vaccine . . . whatever God puts on your mind and heart.

Never stop praying!—1 Thess. 5:17

4. Share Jesus with those who are fearful.

17  And as we live in God, our love grows more
perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him
with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.

18 Such love has no
fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of
punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other[a] because he loved us first.—1 John
4:17-19 NLT

Who Is Your Neighbor?

25  One day an expert in religious law stood up
to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to
inherit eternal life?”

26  Jesus
replied,  “What does the law of Moses say? How do you
read it?”

27  The man answered, “‘You must love the  Lord  your God with all your heart, all your
soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as
yourself .’”[ a ]

28  “Right!”  Jesus
told him.  “Do this and you will live!”

29  The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus,
“And who is my neighbor?”

Then Jesus told the
story of the Jewish man attacked by bandits and left to die. A priest and
Temple assistant came by and each walked to the other side of the road. Next, a
Samaritan came by who bandaged up the injured man, took him to an inn, and paid
the innkeeper to take care of him assuring that he would be back for him and
pay the remaining bill.

36 “Now which of these three would you say was a
neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus
asked.

37  The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”

Then
Jesus said, “Yes,
now go and do the same.” Luke 25-37 NLT

Let’s you and I go and do the same!

Show mercy, generosity, kindness, and love to our neighbors.

If you haven’t read
my blogs the last two weeks:

Pray: Don’t
Panic

Headlines
Are Designed to Generate Fear: God Says, “Fear Not!”