What Kind of Neighbor Are You?

 Matthew 16:24-27


24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.


Consider this story of two neighbors: One is withdrawn and somewhat grumpy. He never speaks to anyone (unless yelling at kids to get off his lawn counts as a conversation). The other waves at everyone, is always up for a chat, and knows all the people in the neighborhood by name. Who do you think is living the happier, more fulfilling life? 

The neighbor who makes time for people builds community and is firmly becoming established as a member of it. This doesn’t happen automatically, however. Creating strong bonds requires time, resources, and emotional investment in others, which is rarely easy (but always worth it). Yet if we are willing to give ourselves away for the good of others, we’ll find a sense of wholeness and belonging that we can’t experience alone. It is only by giving up our life that we each more fully become the person God intends.







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