When you make a sale to your neighbor or buy from your neighbor, you shall not cheat one another. Leviticus 25:14
We intend to do what is right not only in the Lord's sight, but in the sight of others. 2 Corinthians 8:21
Leviticus was written to let the God's chosen people know how to live as God's holy people. This book relates the word of God as it was spoken to Moses. 2 Corinthians records the words of Paul to the early Christians in Corinth. Both of today's passages speak of how to treat others.
God does not differentiate between those who have more, or those who have less. Each and every person who ever was, is, or is to come is God's beloved child. In Leviticus 11:45 Moses relates the Word of God as spoken to Moses, "...you shall be holy, for I am holy." That's pretty direct and sounds simple, but often it is not as simple as it sounds. We can give in to our own desires and thoughts which cloud what God would have us to be and to do.
It is not always easy to love and care for those who have views and values different from our own. On a larger scale there are disputes over immigration, the rights of others that end up in major court proceedings, Border wars, etc. Closer to home for most, the difficulty is learning to understand and care for those who live completely different lives from what any one of us may view as normal. Even the most difficult person who crosses one's path is a child of God. That can be difficult to understand making it hard to respect that person's right to differ.
One time before GPS guided our way, we were driving to visit our Alabama family. We lost our way as we neared our family's Mobile, AL, home and called our son to get directions. He was shocked to hear where we were as the area was considered a center for drug dealing and trouble. Before we learned that, I was thinking how sad it was to watch what was going on among such young people. Then a woman who looked as though she was about 50 courageously came along and began to talk to these young people. We could tell that they knew and respected her even though she was not into what these young people were intending to do. I know no more about this lady other than what I observed, but I've never forgotten how she reminded me of what Mother Teresa would do over and over to aid the poorest of the poor.
I know that most of us cannot survive walking among dangerous people; however, we can contribute in many ways to do what is right by those around us. We do right by others when we offer free meals each week at Christ the King. We do right by others when we support VEAP. We do right by others when we contribute some of what we have earned to our church and other good causes. We do right by others when we visit an ailing friend or bring a meal to someone who needs one. We do right by others in more ways than I could ever record here. Remember, these are the times of showing respect, love, and caring that is right in the Lord's sight and in the sight of others.
Dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
Thank you for loving me and my neighbor equally. When we find it difficult to love those whose values differ from our own, help us to remain respectful. Help us to always look at others with eyes that reflect your unwavering love for all. Amen.
Florence Smallfield