Bowl of sugar--Cup of Jesus

Proverbs 3:28
Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you.

I have neighbors. I’m sure you do as well. Mine have come over before and asked to borrow some sugar. No, really, it’s true. My neighbor actually came to the front door one time and asked if she could borrow some sugar. It was just like you see on T.V. You know what? I gave it to her. You want to know something else? I’ve never gone back to her house and said, “Hey. Remember that sugar you borrowed? Yeah, uh....I’m going to need that back now.”

I’m sure if given the opportunity, we’d all respond generously to our neighbor’s request. I’d like to think that if your neighbor came over requesting to borrow or use your tools or sugar that you would say sure. What if your neighbor was in need? Would you recognize the need and act accordingly? Jesus talks about this in the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. He tells this story and raises an interesting point: a neighbor isn’t just the person next door, but anyone who is in need.

That brings us back to our Proverb. When your neighbor comes to you in need, don’t withhold what is good for that person; give it to them then and there. Likewise, when you see your neighbor in need, don’t withhold what is needed; go and give it up for them. This doesn’t just apply to physical needs, but to spiritual needs as well. In fact, I would dare to say that the spiritual need supersedes that of the physical need.

If your neighbor is comfortable enough to come to you with a physical need, what’s to say that there isn’t also a spiritual need that you can meet as well? Whether they are a believer or a still-to-become believer, who is it going to hurt to pour out some of the grace that Christ has extended to you on another person? Inspire them with an uplifting scripture while you get the sugar. You don’t have to puke out hell-fire and brimstone on them; just give them, GRACIOUSLY, a positive scripture to reflect on as well as a bowl of sugar. They are both sweet, you know.

“But my neighbor doesn’t come to me with needs.” Then look for them, recognize them, then go to them with the supply to meet their needs. If your neighbor is a single parent, offer to watch their child for a couple of hours just to give them a break. If they’re old and frail, offer to mow the lawn (gently, never insulting their dignity). Be proactive. And just like when they came to you, bring with you a nugget of God’s grace in the form of a simple, uplifting scripture. Again, this holds true whether your neighbor is a Christian or not. Scripture and a helping hand go a long way together.

The point that I’m trying to make here is this: What you have with you today that you are able to give freely is Jesus. If your neighbor comes for help, don’t hold back all the help you can offer them. They may be coming over to borrow the sugar, but perhaps in actuality they are in desperate need of a Savior. Give them TODAY what you have to give, and that is Jesus!