Proverbs 3: 27-30
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbour, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you. Do not plot harm against your neighbour, who lives trustfully near you. Do not accuse anyone for no reason— when they have done you no harm. [Proverbs 3:27-30 NIV]
These verses are all about how we treat our neighbours. Jesus told us to love our neighbour as ourselves (Matthew 19:19). The verses in Proverbs provide us with four examples of what we should not do
We should not be reluctant to help our neighbours if we are able to do so. They have a right to our help - it is their due.
We should not find feeble excuses for not providing assistance to our neighbours.
We should not seek to harm our neighbours in any way (even when others are scheming against them). There is an interesting phrase used - they are 'living trustfully near you.'
We should not accuse them falsely - i.e. make up nasty stories about them. (This would include not joining in gossip and slander about our 'neighbours.')
Do you remember that Jesus provided a helpful guide as to the definition of neighbour (Luke 10: 15-37)? This is not just people we like or who are of the same race as ourselves. God does not show partiality and neither should we. The parable of the good Samaritan exposed the hypocrisy of the Pharisees - only helping those who belonged to the 'house of Israel' and despising people such as the Samaritans. There are no barriers as far as God is concerned. We should not have a prejudice against anyone because of their race, social class, sexual orientation, religion etc.
This is very relevant when refugees are coming into our cities, towns and villages. They are 'living trustfully near us.' We need to be careful that we do not encourage prejudice against anyone who is different from us. For example, we make the assumption that all Muslims are potential terrorists. One group who suffer from discrimination is the gypsy traveller community. We apply labels to people to make it easier for us to treat them differently. The old book of Jewish wisdom condemned such conduct. I recognise that this subject is controversial but I believe that we should be guided by the word of God rather than popular thinking.
Photo by Karren McPherson. Another bespoke photograph as part of her voluntary work for Day Share. Thanks again, Karren.
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