Love Your Neighbor

Do you love your neighbor?  

Martin Luther once said, “A true Christian lives and labors on earth not for himself but for his neighbor. Therefore the whole spirit of his life compels him to do even that which he needs not do, but which is profitable and necessary for his neighbor.” Did you know that the global economy remained relatively flat until the Protestant Reformation? When the Bible was distributed to commoners, people like you and me, it set in motion what became known as the ‘protestant work ethic’. Economic growth began to explode. In fact, history shows that the economic growth of the entire West correlates with the spread and adoption of God’s Word. Martin Luther believed in the dignity of our labor. Serving our neighbors and finding ways to enhance their lives, is how we love and honor them. It’s good for us, for them, and good for the entire economy.

Good businesses provide products and services that help others in some dimension of their lives.  A loving, caring person is much more likely to have the attitude and ideas which can sustain a company than one who wants to take advantage of others. As followers of Christ, we’re to love in words and deeds.  Proverbs 3:28 says, “Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I’ll give it”—when you have it with you.” Let’s look for ways to be helpful and attentive to those with whom we interact on a regular basis. Offering the work that we do as a means to honor God and  bless others is the work ethic that changes our community and impacts the world. 

Now if you’ve been helped by Crown or this radio station, can I invite you to support us this year? If you already do, thank you for your generosity! You can resolve to begin giving today at crown.org.