Caring About Your Neighbor

Recently, I was asked to teach a “Youth & Government” Class at the YMCA, where I chose one of their four core values. I decided to define “caring”.

YMCA 4 Core Values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility

Today I have the privilege to talk with you all about Caring.  I’m not as eloquent as some of you that come and give such sophisticated breakdowns of these said values, so I request you forgive (MISS-IZ) Oda for putting you through this.

The Oxford Dictionary has two forms of definitions for Caring

THE ADJECTIVE is: Displaying kindness and concern for others

But the NOUN is: The work or practice of looking after those unable to care for themselves

In secular culture, caring is often equated with Emotional Empathy such as feeling someone’s pain or sadness.  Some would even say that truly caring for someone is accepting or validating other people’s choices, lifestyles, and beliefs, regardless of moral content.  Many believe that caring for someone gives personal boundaries and allows comfort, encouraging others to “care for themselves” by prioritizing their own mental health and emotional needs, even if that means avoiding difficult truths.  The highlight of our culture capitalizes on telling someone to “follow your truth” or “hey, you do you” which is often seen as caring, mainly because it’s affirming their autonomy.

Caring, in the biblical context, refers to the act of showing compassion, love, and concern for others. It is a fundamental aspect of Christian living, reflecting the character of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Caring is not merely an emotional response but is often demonstrated through actions that seek the well-being of others.

Because caring is rooted in God’s character, it’s revealed in truth, and sacrificial love. It’s not merely about making someone feel good—it’s about doing what is right and loving in God’s eyes, even if it’s uncomfortable.

Defined and demonstrated by God, we see in Psalm 23:1-3, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.”

In the Scriptures, we see that God’s care for His people is evident in His provision and protection.  “If we are faithless, He remains faithful” we read in 2 Timothy 2:13.

Over and over again, we see the willingness to love and provide for a rebellious people despite their own personal opinions and choices.

Just listen through to the woven tapestry of God’s care for us:

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; – Deuteronomy 31:8

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; – Psalm 55:22

What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? – Psalm 8:4

Cast all your anxieties on Him, because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7

That is just a quick, minimal look at the God Who has precisely and delicately articulated His love and care for us.

Knowing this truth about the God of the universe should not stop simply at the intellect, it affects the heart.  Knowing that this very God would demonstrate His love for us, in while we were yet sinners, should not only renew our minds, but completely transform our very hearts to now view others through His eyes. 

Because those who believe and have been made new in Christ, we are now able to think on things above, and not on things below, which Paul writes, inspired by the Holy Spirit.  That very same author, in Philippians,  calls us to put on the mind of Christ, with lowliness of mind, letting each of us esteem others better than himself.

This is completely contrary to our world’s thinking, and unfortunately, even within the church, as so many have studied through narcigesis instead of good solid biblical exegesis.  Many tell you to first love yourself, in order to know how to love others, but that’s not what the Scriptures tell us.  We already love ourselves, so now go love your neighbor as you love yourself.  Pray for them, consider their needs, provide for them, love them, talk to them, seek them out.  This is what it means to count the cost, and live your life with the fact that the same Living God that died while people auctioned off his clothes, and spat in His face, is the same God living inside you, calling you to care for others so much, that you would lead them to the truth, despite the persecution that may come.

Christians, we don’t get to redefine care. It’s not our terms. It’s on God’s terms. That means feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, but most importantly, preaching the gospel. Because what good is it to give someone a sandwich and watch them walk straight into judgment?

So here’s the challenge: if your version of “caring” doesn’t look like Jesus—if it doesn’t carry truth, cost you something, and lead others towards Christ—it’s not biblical. It’s just noise.

Let’s care like Jesus did—with truth, with sacrifice, and with a heart that says, “Follow me as I follow Christ.”

Because the most unloving thing we could ever do… is stay silent.