There’s a guy that lives across the road from us who is always out in the street chatting to people. He’s a really friendly man in his late 50’s and you always hear his booming voice at some point in the day as he hollers a greeting to someone. Over the past few months we’ve had various conversations; he’s had a hip replacement and is wearing the new one in, his son’s just having his first baby, his mother-in-law who lives next door expects him for dinner every Tuesday, etc.
Yesterday morning when there was thick frost on the car, he caught me heading out the door with my guitar and shouted across the street, “Where you off to this time of the morning then?”
I laughed and explained I was going to the church to play in the band for the kid’s club. “Which one’s that then?” he responded, referring to the church.
A little surprised that he hadn’t backed away in disgust, I told him about Arun Community Church.
“Oh that one!” he said with fond recognition in his voice, “Nice people, but they were always after me money! What was it now… 10 per cent? I don’t know, with 2 kids and a mortgage I couldn’t afford to give my money to them.”
I was a little lost for words at that point, so got into the car and started the engine. He just carried on regardless: “You know, I think what makes you a Christian is helping people. It’s not about going to church, but you should look after others right?”
And you know what? I found myself agreeing with him!
Now I’m not just going to base my theology on common opinion, and I’m aware there is more to the Gospel than ‘being nice’, but as he was speaking I saw something of Jesus in his actions. The engaging with people, starting conversations, looking out for others. In fact, he embodies Jesus’ second commandment in Matthew 22:39 “Love your neighbour as yourself” far more than I do!
As I made my excuses and prepared to drive off, he reached over and scraped the remaining ice off my windscreen before wishing me a good day. I’ve certainly got a lot to learn.
6 responses to “Love Your Neighbour”
Wow, thats a really amazing and inspiring story! Thanks for sharing!
Picking up the point about the 10%, I find it really funny how people expect a church to run without people contributing towards it! My parents have always been of the same attitude as your neighbour, and I find it very odd! Although, saying that, it is very difficult to get the balance when talking about these issues as a church, many churches, in my opinion, get it very wrong.
Anyway, may the Lord bless you, and may you grow to be more and more like him every day.
James
http://www.artistsforchrist.net
Wow, thats a really amazing and inspiring story! Thanks for sharing!
Picking up the point about the 10%, I find it really funny how people expect a church to run without people contributing towards it! My parents have always been of the same attitude as your neighbour, and I find it very odd! Although, saying that, it is very difficult to get the balance when talking about these issues as a church, many churches, in my opinion, get it very wrong.
Anyway, may the Lord bless you, and may you grow to be more and more like him every day.
James
http://www.artistsforchrist.net
Thanks James, I agree that giving in churches is often an awkward subject that people don’t want to address. In our church, we try to be as up-front about money and giving as possible so that people are aware of what happens to it. For example we have a missions budget of £1000 each month that is given away to sustainable projects both locally and overseas. It’s quite likely my neighbour did hear a lot about giving money when he attended our church, but I think that’s a strength!
Thanks James, I agree that giving in churches is often an awkward subject that people don’t want to address. In our church, we try to be as up-front about money and giving as possible so that people are aware of what happens to it. For example we have a missions budget of £1000 each month that is given away to sustainable projects both locally and overseas. It’s quite likely my neighbour did hear a lot about giving money when he attended our church, but I think that’s a strength!
That sounds fantastic! Our church are able to do something similar and it’s SO good that we are able to support missions in that way! It certainly was a blessing for me when I was on mission at the beginning of this year to have support from the church.
That sounds fantastic! Our church are able to do something similar and it’s SO good that we are able to support missions in that way! It certainly was a blessing for me when I was on mission at the beginning of this year to have support from the church.