Do I Have to Love my Neighbor?

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

I woke up this morning to about eight plus inches of fresh snow. What does that mean? It means I get to shovel the snow. Well actually it means I get to snow blow the snow with my snow blower. I got up early to get it done and get on with my day.

I had done my drive way and my next door neighbor’s. The snow was deep and it was a lot of work. I was tired. Often times I’ll help another neighbors with theirs, but I thought, “Not today, I still have a big day ahead of me. We have four Christmas performances this weekend I will be working at.”

As I was putting away my snow blower, the Lord spoke to my heart and said, “Go help your other neighbor.” I was struggling with that because that neighbor was never very appreciative for anything I had done for them in the past, and I had done a number of things. I started to have my conversation with the Lord on why I shouldn’t do it. “Lord, they hardly appreciate anything I do for them.”

The Lord spoke to me and said, that is why I’ve taught you this: ”…Love your neighbor as yourself.” Then He said, “I didn’t’ tell you to love your neighbor as much as they appreciate you. What I said was, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” I thought, “If I didn’t have a great snow blower in heavy snow, I’d really be blessed if my neighbor helped me.” Then I heard the Lord say one more thing. “To whom much is given, much is required.” I just said, “Yes Lord” and that was the end of the conversation.

As I came back out of my garage with my snow blower, there was my neighbor just beginning to shovel his driveway. I came over with my snow blower and he was all grins. When he was done he gave me a very warm thank you! I was so glad I obeyed the Lord. I was able to BE the gospel to my neighbor today. So what did I do then? I went and did another neighbor’s driveway.

Next time I won’t argue with the Lord and maybe I won’t end up having to do four driveways. Glory to Him!

Mark 12:31 “…Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.”

In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt