Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest commandment in the Law?” And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
Matthew 22:37-40
We have observed from our previous studies that God’s people, Israel (who were rich), were to give freely to enable or empower the poor to help or work themselves out of their poverty. However, when we combine the Old Testament teaching with Jesus’ teaching we get a fuller depiction of what a Christian looks like and how they put their worldview into action.
Jesus’ central teaching is on sharing wealth with the poor. Nonetheless, before sharing one’s wealth it is necessary for us to discern how we should view other people. Do we have a responsibility to others? If we do, how near or far does that responsibility reach? To our family, our religious community, our physical neighbors, the world community?
Jesus indicates that the greatest commandment is to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’ (Matthew ). How is loving the Lord your God tied to loving your neighbor as yourself?
Could it be that the testing line for loving the Lord your God is found in how we love our neighbors? Can we truly love God and neglect your neighbor? Can we truly love God and neglect the poor and hurting in the cities of our country? Can we truly love God and forget about the poor and destitute that live throughout the world?
So then who is our neighbor?
Who are the ‘neighbors’ in your church, neighborhood and community who are being neglected?
How can you be a godly neighbor to the poor and destitute?
What changes are necessary for you to make in life to show you truly love the Lord your God and love your neighbor?
He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor,
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn will be lifted high in honor.
Psalm 112:9
