Self Serving (Proverbs 21:10)

No good can come from having an evil heart.

"The soul or life of the wicked craves and seeks evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes." Proverbs 21:10, Amplified

There are some things in this life that are just natural. Man goes about his way, however, he needs food and water to continue. In man's natural spiritual state, all he desires in the evil things. Now when I say evil, I do not mean things of a Satanic nature, though that may be the case for some. Man in his natural state is self serving so the things that he desires are not of God, therefore they are evil.

The evil man also shows no favor to his neighbor because he is self serving. "If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,' but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?" (James 2:16, NKJV) However, if we change our hearts and turn to God, we become less self serving and more focused on the needs of others so that our benedictions are not just empty words, but backed with loving actions.

Love Thy Neighbor (Proverbs 14:20-21)

The Bible commands us that we are to love our neighbor. These Scriptures tell us the same thing, but come with a warning.

"The poor is hated even by his own neighbor, but the rich has many friends." Proverbs 14:20, Amplified

The man with money has many superficial friends. Everyone wants to be close to him because they love the smell of money. A man with money is a man with means. But the poor man can do nothing for himself, let alone for someone else.

"He who despises his neighbor sins [against God, his fellow man and himself], but happy - blessed and fortunate - is he who is kind and merciful to the poor." Proverbs 14:21, Amplified

We are commanded to love our neighbor by Jesus Himself. The question is asked who are neighbor is and the Lord tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. Everyone is our neighbor in the eyes of the Lord. We are to love them despite skin color, race, religion or monetary value. If we turn our back on our neighbor then we are sinning.

I have to admit, I question the people sitting on the side of the of ramps of the freeways with signs. Beggars have admittedly stated that they make quite a bit of money on the side of the road. My father told me of a time that he watched as a couple he saw everyday day, begging, on his way to work get into a Beemer.

Remember the Bible never commands us to give them money, it tells us not to despise them. If you see a man, or woman, and are compelled to give money then do it. But we can also pray for those people, we can offer them a meal. There are plenty of things that we can do as a Christian to show love love of Christ.

Neighbors (Proverbs 11:12)

It is important for us to live at peace with everyone around us. Even more so to be at peace with our neighbor.

"He who belittles and despises his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding keeps silent." Proverbs 11:12, Amplified

If we are to at odds with our neighbor then we may as well invite destruction upon ourselves. Our neighbor may be the only earthly protection that we have. To love your neighbor as yourself is the second most important commandment. We do so that we may dwell safely here on the earth. A good an friendly neighbor will ward off any thieves or other dangers in our absence. To endanger that by openly despising our neighbor is unwise. A wise man, however, nurtures that relationship no matter the heart of his neighbor. Who knows, we may be the only link to the Lord that they will ever experience.