Walking with the Wise #511: Being Neighborly

“A loud and cheerful greeting early in the morning


will be taken as a curse!”
—Proverbs 27:14 (NLT)

It’s amazing to me the wisdom of God—not only do we learn about salvation and all that goes with it, but we are given insight into such small things as greeting our neighbor early in the morning! This proverb is simple and straightforward—don’t greet your neighbor with a loud and cheerful greeting when they haven’t fully awakened yet. When you try and be so happy and hopeful without considering the state they are in, then they are not only going to think that you are just a little crazy, but that you are actually out to hurt them!

Talking to your neighbor loudly before they have had time to adjust is just bad form—be nice, kind, and considerate. Being neighborly is a good thing to do and something that will help facilitate our gospel witness. Witnessing to a neighbor doesn’t just involve preaching to them, but living a life that is smart, consistent, and winsome in the sight of God.

Let the Word of God instruct you, let the life of Jesus be your example, and let the love of Christ flow through you through your everyday interactions. Amen.