My daily Bible reading today begins in Deuteronomy 22: ” ¹ If you see your fellow Israelite’s ox or sheep straying, do not ignore it but be sure to take it back to its owner. ² If they do not live near you or if you do not know who owns it, take it home with you and keep it until they come looking for it. Then give it back. ³ Do the same if you find their donkey or cloak or anything else they have lost. Do not ignore it.”

God understands human nature – He gave it to us.  We have the ability, some might say right, to choose.  We can turn right or left.  We can move forward or go backwards.  We can choose to dwell on good things or bad things.

So in giving the law to the people of Israel God gives them these words.  They seem archaic to us, but looking after another person’s property or interests is not limited to ox or sheep.  Consider if you will when we look for other people’s interests around our neighbourhood.  The neighbourhood watch program is built on this concept.  Remember the Block Parent program where families would display a Block Parent sign in their window and children who were in some kind of need knew they could go and find help?

Most people have some awareness of the Story of the Good Samaritan, or at least know the concept of the Good Samaritan – it is built on this concept.  Looking out for other people’s interests.  The Bible is frequent in it’s reminders that God is pleased, in fact expects, that we (The Church – to pick up on yesterday’s blog theme) are to be prepared to act on behalf of other people’s interests.  Even if it costs us something.

Intention is great but actions don’t lie – we are to “not ignore it” as Deuteronomy 22 puts it.  We are to act.

So what does that look like for me and you today?

Keep an eye out for your neighbour’s ox!