Philosophy of Neighbor

February 12, 2013

“‘So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?'” (Luke 10:36)

I heard a businessman say, “There are two things to be gained in every business deal: money and experience.  When you do business always get the money and give that other person the experience!”

According to the way the parable of Jesus ended with the verse above, when a devout disciple of Jesus is involved in a business deal, should they always get the money and give the other person the experience?

Jesus taught this parable in response to the question: “Who is my neighbor?” In His answer Jesus presented three philosophies of neighbor.  “What’s mine is mine and what’s yours will be mine just as soon as I can take it.” That was the philosophy of the thieves in this story.  “What’s mine is mine and what’s yours is yours” was the philosophy of the religious people Jesus profiled here.  Jesus’ philosophy of neighbor, however, was showcased by the Samaritan in this way: “What’s yours is yours and what’s mine is yours any time you need it.”

How should that philosophy of neighbor impact the way we do a business deal as committed followers of Jesus Christ?  The way we answer that question should make us think about our entire philosophy of life and not just our philosophy about how we do business.

What is your vision statement and what are your mission objectives in life?  Is your vision statement to get rich and are your mission objectives all the ways you can think making money?

What is your philosophy of neighbor?  Is your own personal vision statement in alignment with the philosophy of neighbor Jesus taught us?

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Posted by Dick Woodward

A Formula for Hearing

October 24, 2012

“But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”   (Luke 8:15)

This verse is taken from a very familiar parable of Jesus called “The Parable of the Sower, “ but I call it  – “Four Men in a pew, which one are you?”

Jesus is claiming that when the Word of God is taught, seventy-five percent of the time nothing happens.  The first man who hears is wearing a hard hat – the Word does not penetrate his mind.  When the word is not understood, nothing happens.

The second takes his Word on the rocks. The seed of the Word does not penetrate his heart, or his will.  If the Word of God does not penetrate the will, nothing happens.

The third man understands and fully intends to obey the Word but he loses the Word in the weeds of riches, pleasures and worries.  Again, nothing happens.

The fourth man understands, obeys and overcomes all the weeds above the soil and the rocks under the soil.  He perseveres through all this and produces a crop that is more than one hundred percent what was planted.

Jesus is giving us a formula for hearing when the Word of God is being taught or preached.  We must understand, obey and overcome all the obstacles that are trying to defeat us as we hear the Word of God.

Jesus is also challenging His disciples to realize that as they teach the Word of God unless they penetrate the understanding, the will, and the opposition of the evil one nothing happens.

He concluded this teaching with the challenge to be careful how we hear His Word and how others hear when we teach.

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Posted by Dick Woodward